I Need Help On Easy Ideas For Good Lighting For A Photoshoot. Help!

May 8, 2012

Tyla R.

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to bulid more to my portfolio and need ideas for lighing tricks that are cheap and easy to really make the make-up photos stand out. I will be taking the photo's from home. If anyone knows of any please help me out :) I know lighting is top reasons why photos turn out great and really capture all the detail in the make-up.

Thank you

May 8, 2012

Nanna H.

The Wonder Powder from makeup store is really really good :) It makes the skin glow.

May 8, 2012

Zoe C.

You'll want strong white lightbulbs. Standard household ones are too yellow, you can get white lightbulbs almost anywhere :) If the lighting is too harsh, just cover the light with baking/parchment paper.

May 8, 2012

Consuelo A.

i agree with zoe c. Standered house lights are yellow, take her addive and get some white ones. Also you may wanna consider takeing yr photos in a light room, like the bathroom. Usually, (but not always) bathrooms are painted lighter then the rest of the house, so the light reflects better then they would in dark rooms. 

May 8, 2012

Zoe C.

^^ I second that, I take a lot of my makeup photos in the bathroom. Just be careful not to include the toilet in the background! :P

May 8, 2012

Sherry W.

Its definitely all about the lighting. You don't want to have to use flash because it usually brings out the wrong areas of your face, especially if you are oily it will just make you look very shiny. I like natural sunlight. I would take photos in a room with windows to have natural light if that's what you like. I always think photos look better in natural light. If you do happen to go in a room, make sure that what's behind you isn't too crowded. No one really wants to see the stuff behind you and it will make the pictures look unprofessional. Try hanging white sheets like curtains behind you, kind of like back drop. Or corner yourself in a room, near a window if using natural light, or if using a lamp or something, hang the sheets to block out the rest of the room that way the light stays in. Dim lights with paper, sometimes I use a scarf depending on what I'm going for. 

May 8, 2012

Sherry W.

What exactly are you photgraphing.

May 8, 2012

Bec S.

If you're photographing faces, you want to create a lighting setup that surrounds the face with light. Beauty photographers will often use a ring light, which is a ring of light, shaped like a doughnut, where they can place their camera in the center. The model then has no shadows on their face because light is coming at them from all directions.

Buying a pro ringlight is expensive, but you can create a home-made version, either by placing lights all around your camera or by building a mount for them. It also doesn't have to be circular-- it can be square or any shape that you want.

Indoor light is generally more orange and outdoor light is generally more blue. Your camera should have a setting that is for daylight or indoor lighting that will correct for the color. You can purchase bulbs of either type, just make sure your camera settings are correct for the kind of lights you have. Also, its important not to mix and match. If you have sunlight coming into the space where you're shooting, get daylight bulbs and you'll be all good. If there is no light coming in from outside, you can use whichever kinds of bulbs you prefer. Indoor lights are usually a touch warmer, and daylight is a touch cooler. Both should look beautiful if you have your camera settings right.

Also, you can never have too much light! Of course you don't want your subject to be blown out, but having enough light is very important. 

May 9, 2012

Tyla R.

Thank you all for your advice it's really appreciated :) so many great tips with all this information my photos will have to turn out amazing. I like the idea of the white lightbulbs and will for sure look into it,
also the draping for the background. :)

Thank you all so much !!!