We have always talked about the importance of capturing the soul of the person portrayed. Of the need to delve into and bring to light part of his essence, of his being. Connecting with the person portrayed is important, the technical and compositional aspects too, a lot. But sometimes an important detail is forgotten. Essential. Normally we talk about portraits in broad daylight, however, there are people who are night owls. A daytime portrait wouldn’t exactly be the best way to portray his personality, don’t you think? His thing would be a night portrait. Capture her in her environment, in her moment more comfortable.
Before continuing, and for you to discover all the secrets of the portrait Photography, I would like to recommend this mega guide that we have prepared for you, with all the tricks, tips and inspiration you can imagine.
We continue. We were in the night 😉 . The flash may not be your best friend. That you insist on taking daytime portraits because natural light is your thing and flash effects are not cool at all. Or you don’t know how to use it. Or you do not have. It can be many reasons. It does not matter. What matters is whether there is an alternative to satisfy both parties. And yes, there is. It is what I bring you today. An article dedicated to ambient light or artificial light that you can use beyond flash. Are you curious? If you have night owls around you, or you want to dedicate yourself to portrait photography, you should 😉 .
Before starting…
Keep in mind that you’re not going to get a sharp portrait. It’s also not what you should be looking for. If so, better pull flash. These ideas are for other types of portraits, which more than clarity seek to convey an emotion, tell a story or have a certain aesthetic.
These lights, as much as they allow you to take your photo, you cannot control or direct them like a flash or similar, nor do they have the same intensity but they offer you other very interesting nuances. And don’t worry about the noise, it can be part of the photography 😉 .
Now yes, let’s go with the ideas.
1. Neon lights
Many shops, bars or various establishments have neon lights in their windows to attract the attention of the public. These can serve as continuous light for your portrait. Position your model very close to these lights and frame them for an interesting composition.
You have the possibility of including the letters as part of the portrait, if you consider that they contribute something, to the story or to the composition and if not, let them only have a lighting function and keep them out of the frame. Below, you can see an example of the first option that works very well.
2. Lighter
Ok, smoking is no longer popular, it is not healthy, in many environments it is not well seen and a thousand other things. However, there are still many smokers. We have started the article talking about capturing the essence and personality of the portrayed, remember? If he smokes, and a lot, it doesn’t hurt to photograph him lighting a cigarette. The light from the lighter, although dim, will serve to shed some light on the face. Enough for you to have your photo.
You can also experiment, you don’t always have to be lighting the cigarette. For example, placing the lighter to the side of the face for more dramatic side lighting.
3. Candle light
A very similar option in terms of the type of light and the way of working with it is the candle. However, it is very different in terms of meaning and message to convey. You can see it in the example.
4. Christmas lights
Your next night portrait does not have to be at Christmas, but you can use its typical decorative lights to achieve it. Here’s a sample. Indoors or outdoors, with a more or less illuminated background, with more or less bokeh… As you wish. You can get really attractive effects.
5. Car headlights
This is another interesting option, either to take advantage of the light line of the cars around the city, or if you are somewhere lost and you have arrived in your car. It doesn’t have to be a vintage car for it to appear in the photo, of course, just shining on you is enough. Now, if the person you are going to photograph is a car lover and has a cool one, don’t miss the opportunity!
6. Reinvent your studio for the night portrait
You don’t have a studio, or you don’t want to use it. Does this mean that you cannot create interesting lighting schemes? Not at all, here’s an example. A very successful scheme for this portrait. You can find yours anywhere, a station, a shopping center, a restaurant. We are lucky that there are now a multitude of lighting options in different public establishments. A luck that must be taken advantage of 😉 .
7. Bus stops
At many bus stops you can find huge illuminated advertising boards. Take advantage of them as a window of continuous light. Its light is diffuse and not always as warm as that of candles, lighters or the like.
8. With flare
It may not be very natural, it really isn’t, but it’s pretty. There’s no doubt. The light of a sparkler adds a spark to the night portrait that you will hardly achieve with another type of lighting.
9. The streetlights
There is no self-respecting city without streetlights or spotlights that illuminate important buildings. Get your model up close to one of these lights and you won’t have to pull a flash. How you capture the environment is up to you, but you will have light 😉 .
10. Light painting
Haven’t you tried it yet? light painting or light painting? The time may have come. For the most creative portraits use this technique. You will have a lot of fun. Of course, first do tests and master the technique, go to the portrait session with your homework done 😉 .
11. Backlights
Most of these options can also be used as backlighting to create a profile or silhouette. Not all portraits have to be close-ups or the face has to be seen completely, it can be a different, original portrait that counts without showing.
After these ideas, I say goodbye asking you two favors. The first is that you practice at least one of these ideas as soon as you can, tonight, if possible. This week at the latest. If you leave it behind, this information will dissolve like stardust in your gray mass. Better put it into practice.
The second is that you share this article. If you have found it interesting, it has given you some useful idea for your next night portrait or it has inspired you in the slightest, it is most likely that it will be done with one of your contacts. Do not deprive him of photographic inspiration, we never know when we may lack!
Thanks and see you soon!