Portraits

Fill light- A second light source, can also be called fill flash. Reduces depth of shadows and also makes facial features look softer.
Main light- The brightest light on a subject or scene. Can be the sun sometimes or a studio light.
Hair light- Light used to light up hair.
Background light- Light placed behind the subject.
Shadowless lighting- use of a speedlight to create a shadow-less background, called soft light
Butterfly-butterfly shaped shadow that is casted below the nose.
Loop- Lighting that is used to create a soft shadow of the subjects’ noses on their cheeks.
Split- Lighting places about 90 degrees offset from the subject, leaving one side of the face in shadow and the other in light.
Rembrandt- A lighting technique used by using a light reflector.
Grey Card- Produces consistent image exposure. A middle grey reference.
Hard light versus soft light- Soft light creates softer shadows and looks more clean and harsh light creates harsh and crisp shadows.
Strength - shutter speed and aperture's appropriate to portraits- Largest aperture available and shutterspeed at least 1/125
3:1 lighting ratio-  Light discrepancy between two different light sources is 1.5 f stops.
Inverse square law of light (remember photography)- An object twice the distance from the source of light will have a quarter of the illumination.

POSING MODELS-

1.     Looking over the shoulder will get a very vulnerable look.

2.     Leaning against an object/ wall will help relax and make the model more comfortable, also can create a really cool shot if shot from a different angle.

3.     Laying on the ground, works great for outdoors shots, especially with the model laying on the grass.

4.     Hands can be used to add to the portraits uniqueness. If the model touches their face or does something interesting with the hands it can add so much to the mood and message of the portrait.

5.     Facing the model at an angle can help them appear thinner.