Portait Session

I have a male model (my son in law), coming into the studio next week and need to plan how I would like him to pose and what type of lighting and what lens to use.

Following earlier research I find that I am most interested in head shots and for the model  I have, low key lighting will give the character and moodiness I want to create.

Here are some portraits taken by David Bailey  in the 60's and 70's featuring famous people of the day, using the type of lighting I have in mind.

Terence Stamp

A somewhat more recent portrait of a very young Jonny Depp

Catherine Denueve

Pablo Picasso

David Bailey

On these portraits he has used a combination of 'broad', the side of the face nearest to the camera is lit and the nose casts a shadow of the short side cheek, and 'split lighting', where half of the face is illuminated and the main light is placed to the left or right of the sitter.