Back lit subjects

Mike McCarty · 01-21-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

if you could have all weather conditions and lighting arrangements in the world, what would you rather have your subjects be lit under?

That's a tough one October. I know that there are those that specialize in outdoor style paintings. I love outdoor paintings, but I also love indoor paintings.

The success or failure of any painting will ride on whether the light adequately defines the form. This can be accomplished indoors or out. Although, It is more of a challenge out of doors.

When I first started checking in on this forum I read something that Karen Wells wrote and it has stuck with me. Paraphrasing -- "I don't worry so much anymore about how to paint, but what to paint." I condense her meaning to be -- judgment. And more often than not it is the judgment regarding the quality of light.

October Reader · 01-21-2005, 12:52 PM

Yes Mike, I realized my question sounds quite general and it seems to be asking "how and what to paint and draw" which takes eons to resolve for anybody if he/she works hard and is talented and persistent enough.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

The success or failure of any painting will ride on whether the light adequately defines the form. This can be accomplished indoors or out.

I couldn't agree with you more. But to what degree does one judge "adequacy"? - highly subjective matter I dare say, and an instinctual one too. I guess "what lighting moves you" is probably closer to what I am driving at. Which leads to:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

judgment. And more often than not it is the judgment regarding the quality of light.

Thanks for trying to respond. I know it's a tough one to wrap oneself around

Mary Sparrow · 01-21-2005, 01:47 PM

October, I am glad you brought up the subject of back lighting.

I don't know how to answer your question, other than to agree with Mike that you just simply need good judgment. I know, I know, a vague answer.

But about back lighting. I simply LOVE portraits with that halo look that is the result of back lighting. Could someone explain to me the best way to achieve that "halo" but still have ample light on the face?

Mike McCarty · 01-21-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

But to what degree does one judge "adequacy"? - highly subjective matter I dare say, and an instinctual one too

It is an important question -- whether one possesses the judgment to select. I think that sadly, there are those who put in many, many years and never develop the necessary judgment (the jury is still out on mine, that's for sure). Someone should develop a test. Actually I think Linda B. did that for me once.

I do think that it if you have the core mental ingredients it is possible to develop ones judgment. Don't ask me what those ingredients are.

Mary,

Place your subject between you and the late day sun. Spot meter the face of the subject, poof their hair up, and vavoom.

Mary Sparrow · 01-21-2005, 02:18 PM

Ok, but then, is there a way to do it so that you have the back light as well as light coming from a side to give interesting shadows?

And if you happen to have a subject on a cloudy day, would just placing a light behind your subject give you the same effect?

October Reader · 01-21-2005, 02:20 PM

OK, Mike I won't force you to tell what ingredients.

Maybe Michele R can further answer Mary's back lit question. Some of her children portraitures seem to fit the bill.

Mike McCarty · 01-21-2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Ok, but then, is there a way to do it so that you have the back light as well as light coming from a side to give interesting shadows?

And if you happen to have a subject on a cloudy day, would just placing a light behind your subject give you the same effect?

When you are outside with all these powerful light forces it is very difficult to control. You end up with a nice photograph that's not that great to paint from. I can imagine a subject under a porch, this provides some directional light from the open side and some shadow from the building side. Now, if the sun were behind the subject you could concievably get the effect.

What you want may be easier produced in a more controlled indoor setup. You could place a light behind the subject and one to the side for modeling.

The trick is to place your subject in a directional light situation. Whether you have manipulated this out of doors or in a studio. With light coming at you from all angles, as it often does when your are outside, it just won't work.

October Reader · 01-21-2005, 02:39 PM

Mary, I wonder if using "flood" light bulbs positioned as Mike suggested would help to soften the effect and give some directional effect.

Michele Rushworth · 01-22-2005, 09:17 PM

The backlighted portraits on my site were painted just as Mike described: position the subject between the camera and the sun and spot meter off the face. It does result in some flatness of form, however. It is a great way to paint an outdoor portrait with a feeling of sunlight, though. If you have a fair bit of direct sunlight actually shining on the face it will produce awful squinting and harsh shadow edges.

Mary, if you want the backlighted effect with some directionality to the remaining light on the face you could position them with a tree or wall right next to them, I suppose.