Natural-Light Portraits
Alan M. Thornton
Class Preview
1:31
- In-depth Instruction; over 125 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Camera Gear
21:37
Meet your instructor, photographer Alan Thornton, as you gain an overview of the camera bodies, lenses and other gear that will help your subjects look their best. Next, Alan shares ways to pack light accessories that provide everything you need for fieldwork, including five-in-one light modifiers.
Working With Indoor Light
23:56
Discover how to use natural light for any indoor shoot, whether you're in a studio, someone's home or a place of business. Alan helps you assess light in terms of its quality and quantity, and shows you how the direction of light, camera height and metering all play a crucial role in your photos.
Split & Rembrandt
11:37
Lighting patterns help emphasize or mask certain qualities of your model's appearance. This lesson covers split lighting, which divides the subject's face into equal areas of shadow and light, and Rembrandt lighting, which exposes a soft triangle of light on the subject's cheek.
Loop, Beauty & Horror
13:36
Explore even more lighting patterns that you can use to add character to your portraits. Learn about loop and beauty lighting techniques, which create universally flattering shadows on your subject's face, and the more extreme contrasts that you can create with horror lighting.
Depth of Field & Metering
19:30
Discover how changes to the background and depth of field can work with or against your beautifully lit subjects. Alan demonstrates techniques for working in harsh sunlight and shaded conditions, and shares tips for metering that will help take some of the guesswork out of your process.
Working in Overcast Light
18:26
Move your subject into a soft, diffused shade as Alan shares tips on shooting in flat, overcast lighting conditions. Work with subtractive and additive lighting techniques to create more desirable contrast in your photo, and experiment with your depth of field to make your subject pop.
Bright & Sunny Light
15:44
Working in bright, direct sunlight can be intimidating, but Alan shares methods that will prevent harsh, unwanted shadows and squinting models. Explore ways to diffuse bright light and reflect sunlight where it's wanted. Finally, learn why sunset is what photographers call the "golden hour."
Learn how to take natural light portraits your clients will love, with guidance from professional photographer and renowned instructor Alan Thornton. During class, you’ll find out how to assess light in terms of quality and quantity, whether you’re in a studio, a client’s home or even a business. Then, make sure your subject is always featured in their best light as you explore split and Rembrandt lighting techniques, and add character to your portraits with a few fun tricks! Next, Alan shows you how to change your background and depth of field to work with your subjects instead of against them. Plus, confidently shoot in overcast or sunny conditions so that your subject comes alive in their finished photos, no matter the light.
Alan M. Thornton
Alan Thornton has been an advertising, editorial and fine-art photographer for more than 16 years. His clients have included Hewlett Packard, Apple and Nike, to name a few. Additionally, he enjoys traveling, a pursuit that has most recently taken him to Cambodia to photograph survivors of the Khmer regime. He has also served as an instructor for the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University and The Workshops.
Bonus materials available after purchase