Find the light: tips for great lighting for your yearbook photos

Picture day can be stressful for students – finding the perfect outfit, getting hair just right, smiling on cue.  Plus, by the time the photographer poses you at an angle, shoulders back, head turned, eyes to the side, and grinning like an idiot… you’re exhausted and the picture comes out looking… well, interesting.  Add on the fact that professional portraits are no small expense, and it’s enough to make anyone want to forfeit the day all together. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="410"] Yearbook portraits can come out awkward between the phony background, smiling stress, and inadequate lighting. Image source: Flickr user David Schiersner[/caption] This year, try something new by having students do the photography!  It will be a great way to refresh the old picture day, and get everyone involved.  It is beneficial on a variety of levels.  Students will feel comfortable with who is taking the picture, and in turn, will loosen up.  Students interested in photography will have a chance to practice and refine their craft.  And, parents can purchase digital copies directly from the school – raising money for the yearbook, and allowing them to customize what prints they want and how many. It’s simple.  With all of the digital camera options available today, the device pretty much takes the picture for you.  However, there is one thing that is still a struggle for most photographers – the light.  No matter how well you set up a picture, the right light can make or break a great yearbook photo. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="410"] Windows can be a great source for light. Lighting from the side helps cast just the right amount of shadow on a subject. Image source: Flickr user Tim (Timothy) Pearce[/caption] But worry no more; we are here to shine some light on the subject of luminescence.  Understanding these lighting facts will help you set up even the most worrisome, rigid subject, and set you in motion for the perfect yearbook photo.

-       Broad light, like that from a window, will produce a softer light.  This will create less shadow, but will also reduce contrast and texture.  If you are looking to use a window as your light source, position the student in front of one that doesn’t receive direct sunlight.

 -       Soft light will also come the closer the subject is to the light source.  If you are using lamps to light the set, position them in a manner that will be close enough to fully light your subject, but not wash them out.

-       If you are looking to achieve that soft light, but your source isn’t providing it – diffuse.  A cheap solution for windows is using a sheer white curtain.  If you don’t have a scrim for lamps, use gauze or some type of translucent, textured material.

 -       You don’t have to shine the light directly on your subject.  You can bounce it off of a wall or piece of white poster board to reflect and diffuse the light.  If you want to add some sparkle, crumble a sheet of aluminum foil, pull it out, and wrap it around a piece of poster board… then bounce the light off of it.

 -       If you want to achieve a darker background and really bring the attention to your subject, use a window to front-light the person and keep them as close as possible to the light source.

-       Keep in mind that front lighting will understate texture.  If you want to emphasize the texture, light from the side or from below.

-       Light from above, below, or to the side will cast shadows on your subject… and this isn’t a bad thing.  If you are going for a more dramatic portrait, position a light high above, slightly off-center of your subject, and then tilt it down.

Also,  if you decide to shoot pictures outside, such as senior portraits, understand the basics of outdoor lighting:

-       Dawn will give a blue-light effect, and not cast any shadows.

-       Sunrise will cast long shadows of warm color, adding interest to the picture.

-       Morning light is very neutral and good for shooting until midday.

-       Midday is the worst time to shoot as the sun is high in the sky, and will cast dark shadows on the subject – sometimes even making people’s eyes look black.

-       Afternoon shooting is similar to the morning, but with warmer colors.

-       Sunset is okay, but must be timed just right as the best light does not last long.  It is, however, great for silhouette shooting.

-       Dusk will offer rich colors – transitioning from blues and purples, to orange and brown.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="553"] An outdoor setting can be very affective for unique lighting and color. Image source: Cristian Bortes[/caption] Let students guide the kind of portraits they want to take.  Some may want more of the “Hollywood” dramatic shots (high light, casting shadows), others may choose to be simply lit with soft window light, while the rest may want to get outdoors and add color to their pictures!  Having students participate in the creative process will bring about entertaining, interesting yearbook photos.  After all, the plan is to get away from those previously rigid portraits, and bring excitement to the student yearbook photos! Do you have any helpful tips and tricks for lighting yearbook photos?  We'd love to hear about them in the comments section below.