A Photography forum. PhotoBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » PhotoBanter.com forum » Photo Techniques » Photographing People
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Light in Hair



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 30th 03, 09:01 PM
Jack
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair

Hi
When taking portraits, how important is it to have "light in the hair"?


Thanks


  #2  
Old October 30th 03, 10:30 PM
J C
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair

On Thu, 30 Oct 2003 20:01:00 +0000 (UTC), "Jack"
wrote:

Hi
When taking portraits, how important is it to have "light in the hair"?


Thanks


Would depend on the overall effect you're looking for, don't you
think?


-- JC
  #3  
Old October 30th 03, 10:40 PM
McLeod
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair

Depends on your subject, background, and look you're going for. If you
photograph a dark haired subject against a dark background some sort of
separation is needed.
If you photograph someone with thinning hair it tends to make them look
balder than they are, and even sweaty or shiny headed. Any time the
hairlight is too strong, it can wash out all detail and looks like the
photographer doesn't know what they're doing.
On the other hand, a good hairlight adds dimension to a portrait, and makes
the hair look healthy, and makes your subject look more lively.
So I guess the answer is it depends.

"Jack" wrote in message
...
Hi
When taking portraits, how important is it to have "light in the hair"?


Thanks




  #4  
Old October 30th 03, 11:29 PM
Randall Ainsworth
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair

When taking portraits, how important is it to have "light in the hair"?

I worked for many years without using a hairlight. Depends on what you
want the final result to look like.
  #5  
Old October 31st 03, 07:48 AM
zeitgeist
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair



When taking portraits, how important is it to have "light in the hair"?



Hair is the face's frame. It is the most easily adjustable feature we
have. If people go to the trouble of selecting a style that suits them then
it is worth the effort to show it.

Also, it is helpful to sculpt the shape of the head, to give some separation
from the background by having a counterpoint light from the key light. I
think a hair light is the second light a photog should use after getting a
decent mainlight that doesn't require a fill, or if you are going for
Humphrey Bogart look, a stark film noir look of a specular key and a hard
kick light (a hair light thats aimed at the side of the head positioned much
lower, usually opposite the key light)

consider the nicest outdoor light, that delicious twilight where peoples
eyes seem to sparkle and their hair glows like angels.

this reply is echoed to the z-prophoto mailing list at yahoogroups.com


  #6  
Old October 31st 03, 03:05 PM
Michael Quack
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Light in Hair

In article ,
Jack says...

When taking portraits, how important is it to
have "light in the hair"?


Depends on your intentions.

Basically there is not much to add to Zeitgeists answer,
just that I always prefer a controlled soft light as
hair light, mine is a backlight bank that is 15 x 200 cm
wide with front diffusor and louvers, fired by a Hensel
130 cm longlight on a 3200 Ws powerpack.

If you use a single (compact) head, you will likely
return with a highlight hole burnt into your subjects
head.

--
Michael Quack

http://www.photoquack.de/glamour/1.htm
http://www.photoquack.de/fashion/1.htm
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
IR photo/videography - filter for light source? Long-ish... Don Bruder Other Photographic Equipment 4 June 29th 04 03:03 PM
IR photo/videography - filter for light source? Long-ish... Don Bruder General Photography Techniques 4 June 29th 04 03:03 PM
reflector type ? Sean Ras Photographing People 18 February 10th 04 09:25 PM
f-stop to light transmission % ratio question f/256 In The Darkroom 1 January 25th 04 05:07 AM
left/right light \ B&W kids portrait zeitgeist Photographing People 9 October 4th 03 10:37 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 PhotoBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.