Naturalistic Photography for Students of the Art.

by P. H. Emerson

Studio Portraiture.

The easiest branch of photography is portraiture in the studio, for all conditions, including even the dress of the model, are in the photographer’s hands. The lighting is also perfectly under control.

Principles of lighting.

The principles of lighting a face are briefly these: A top light gives the best and subtlest modelling, and gives more relief than any other lighting. But the aim of pictorial art is not to give relief to illusion, therefore the top light effect is modified by a side light and by reflectors. The principle of using a reflector is this: Light falling at right angles on a plane surface gives the highest light, then as we turn the reflector through a circle, we get all gradations up to full dark, when the reflector is turned right round. This principle must be remembered in lighting the planes of the face. The portraitist must work as does the sculptor, in planes and tone, that is, he must quickly make an analysis of the face and observe the most suitable treatment of the subject, and then he must focus and develop so as to bring the planes well out, and they must be broad in treatment and relatively true in tone.

These are the only principles which can be given for lighting, their application can be learned by study first on a plaster cast, and afterwards on the living model.

Character or expression.

The great thing to obtain is the character or expression of the model, everything must be sacrificed for this in portraiture, and enough of the figure must be taken in to thoroughly express the character. Thus the head alone may do in some cases, in others it will be necessary to include the hands, in others the whole body. It is needless to repeat that all portraits should be taken by quick exposures. The best way is for the student to have a very long elastic tube to his shutter, then he can walk about and talk to the model, and when he sees a good natural pose, he can expose, and his picture will probably be good. The present way of posing, using head-rests, &c., is feeble and archaic, and nearly certain to result in failure.

Another important hint is to place the lens on the same level as the eye of the model, neither higher nor lower, especially if large heads are taken. When the picture is to be full length or three-quarter length, the head should still receive the principal attention, and all else be subdued.

We have already treated of arrangements of backgrounds and dresses in harmonies, and of the absolute necessity for using only suitable accessories. In addition all other principles of composition, harmony, breadth, as already described, must be remembered.

Adam Salomon.