It’s a Saturday morning and I had to force myself out of bed to make sure I leave home at 7:30 a.m. Last minute check on my battery and picking out things to stuff in my bag eventually led to a late departure from the house and of course, late arrival in class.
I went inside a classroom with a serious discussion going on regarding lighting. Hartono Hosea, one of the Official Nikon Photographers, led the workshop on taking “Beauty” Photos, a genre that is significantly different from “Fashion” or even “Portrait” photography.
Technically, “Beauty” Photography is a close up photo from the bust to the head while “Fashion” photography is well, devoted to fashion and “fashionable” items. Below are a few basic rules I learned during the “Beauty” workshop:
1.) Focus on the eyes.
Some people see the big picture like I do. When you look at the eyes, be it a photo, sketch or a painting, you will notice a white dot. This white dot is thereflection of the light and is usually found in the center, of course depending on where the subject is looking. However, if you use more than 1 lamp, there is a possibility of getting more than one white dot – and that is no-no. Turn the light off, move it or edit it – whatever way you choose, that extra white dot in the eyes needs to be removed.
2.) Details, details, details.
Yes, in ‘Beauty’ photos and in any other photos, details are important. A single strand of hair in the wrong place can ruin a photo. This is where your eagle eyes come in followed by your editing skills. Similar with number one, you need to check every tiny detail in the photo as this will make your photos stand out from the rest.
3.) Beware of the ‘shadow’.
Yes, it’s related to rule number 2. Shadows are there wherever light is and since light is a photographer’s best friend, you need to be aware of where it is and how it impacts your photo. As a ‘Beauty’ photo rule, the lesser shadow, the better. Unless mysterious or frightening is what you are aiming for.
4.) Main lights first, then the fillers.
What is it that you want to highlight? During the session, Pak Hartono wanted to highlight the model’s profile thus, will use the two main lights – the one on top and the one in front. All the other lights at the side and on the floor are called fillers – these can take out the unwanted shadow and/or build on the effect. These ‘fillers’ are added after the main lights to produce the outcome you want in your finished photo.
5.) Up close and personal
Go up close and do not be afraid. As I said, ‘Beauty’ photos are not ‘portrait’ photos. You can always crop but then what’s the fun in that. I am used to landscape photography therefore I needed time to get used to taking close-up shots. Sometimes, seeing the details will make one realize that all is not what it seems to be, if you get what I mean.
6.) There is no standard. The standard is up to the client or yours.
Especially when you get paid doing this, the standard will be set by your client, of course. Fortunately, I am my own client. Unfortunately, my standards are somewhat low. This is the reason attending workshops and classes like this is a must. You learn from others and get to know insider info from the professionals.
7.) Experiment. Re-learn, if needed.
As an educator, it can never be said enough that hands-on learning is vital. It is the same with photography. As you keep pressing the button, taking shots and comparing photos, you will discover and realize more. Looking at others’ photos and talking to them also gives a glimpse of how they think. One of the participants explained why he took one photo in a particular angle. “I looked at the source of light. Since the light is coming from the left and she is looking at the right, I thought of taking this (photo) from here (left side).” At that moment, I saw thousands of new gray matter being born from all the other participants including me.
8.) Make friends with the soft box and an umbrella.
So, that’s how it feels when you use soft boxes with an automatic controller. Yes, these can cost up to thousands of dollars but as Pak Hartono mentioned, you can always improvise and buy some cheaper brands. HOWEVER, yes that’s a big but, there are certain products that you need to invest in – buy the branded and original ones for these are the ones that last. In the long run, you get to come up with better images and save more.
9.) The ever constant macro lens is here to amaze you.
We all had a turn using the Macro Lens for the taking the “Beauty” Photo at the end of the class. It was an odd experience for me as (1) I cannot adjust the distance and (2) looking through the viewfinder, you see the subject as if he is just 5 inches away from you. Looking through my naked eyes and at the viewfinder was a reminder that looking through the lens is like being in another world and that I should separate the two.
I brought my other non-NIKON camera during this workshop. Since the remote is not compatible, they lent me a Nikon D3000 which reminded me of my first DSLR camera! Anyhow, hats off the Nikon and Profoto staff for always answering my questions as well as explaining and translating for me. Nikon really is the best – products and staff. It’s just that the underwater casings are not so common, which I complained about.
Should you be interested in learning more or just getting to know your NIkon camera, Please visit Nikon College Indonesia and I guarantee, you’ll receive a warm welcome!
chronically gallivanting 
Leave a comment