Description
Ever turned a photo black and white hoping it would look classic and dramatic, and it just looked flat? Taking the color away doesn't add mood. Once color is gone, the image relies on light, contrast, and tone to carry the emotion.
In this video I start with a portrait that look just plain boring in black and white, and then I show four things I do to make it richer!
1. Light placement: Moving the light closer to the subject and off to the side adds shadow and shape to the face. Feathering the light across the frame, instead of pointing it at the subject, keeps it off the background so the background goes darker.
2. Contrast, clarity, and tone: In Capture One (Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw work the same way), I add contrast and clarity, then adjust how the reds, yellows, and oranges convert to gray. That changes how skin tone reads in black and white.
3. Separation: Extra contrast can make the shadow side of the face blend into the background. A low-power gridded light behind the subject and a strip softbox rim light bring back depth and detail without pulling attention away from the face.
4. Local Adjustments (Dodging and burning): Lightening and darkening small areas of the image, like the eyes, cheekbones, and bright spots, directs the viewer's eye where you want it.
I finish by shooting a model-portfolio style set with the Canon R5 Mark II, adjusting pose, expression, and camera angle, because those matter just as much as the light when you want to create drama!
💡 Lighting
Main light: Profoto 4' octabox, close to the subject, off to the side, and feathered across the frame
Background light: low power with a grid, for subtle separation
Rim light: 1x4' strip softbox with a grid
Camera Settings: 1/200th , F9, ISO 200
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✘ GEAR USED:
Canon EOS R5 Mark II: https://prf.hn/l/ZQ4yPV9/
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L: https://prf.hn/l/55AEzkR/
Profoto D3 1250W: https://prf.hn/l/K9ENnmk/
Profoto 4' RFi Softbox Octa: https://prf.hn/l/rd29jBL/
Profoto RFi 1x4 Strip Softbox: https://prf.hn/l/7gzpRAa/
Profoto 50deg Softgrid for Softbox RFi 1x4': https://prf.hn/l/q3le1AL/
Profoto 10 Degree Grid: https://prf.hn/l/kVkP9q9/
Profoto Connect Pro Wireless Transmitter for Canon Camera: https://prf.hn/l/9O5A1DW/
Tether Tools AeroTrac Workstation System: https://prf.hn/l/9ORq3b8/
Tether Tools TetherPro Optima 10G 16' USB-C TetherBoost Extension Cable: https://prf.hn/l/9OkRLZa/
Avenger 3-Section 2-Riser Roller Stand 29 with Low Base: https://prf.hn/l/8jDE3DA/
Avenger Chrome Mini Boom 46" - 83" D600: https://prf.hn/l/EJDBPD2/
Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Nanopole Floor Stand: https://prf.hn/l/NdBWENL/
Savage Seamless: Fashion Gray 107": https://prf.hn/l/7gzpjPy/
#dramaticlighting #blackandwhiteportrait #adorama
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More of Lindsay Adler
Portfolio: http://lindsayadlerphotography.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/lindsayadler_photo
Facebook: http://facebook.com/lindsayadlerphotography
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lindsayadler
Education: http://learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com
For more setups like this check out my Headshot Lighting Recipe Guide: https://lindsayadler.photo/headshots
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!