Week 11 - Favorite Lighting
Starlight and Shadow: The Art of the Hurrell Look
The Classic Hollywood Glamour setup—often referred to as the "Hurrell style"—is the ultimate masterclass in light. My favorite approach to this technique is the Four-Point Quadrilateral, a sophisticated arrangement that uses Chiaroscuro to treat the human face like a piece of fine-art sculpture. While modern photography often relies on soft, forgiving light, this technique embraces the power of shadows to design the portrait, creating a cinematic "perfection" that requires almost no digital retouching.
The Technical Craft: The 4-Corner Architecture
The brilliance of this setup lies in its symmetry and precision. By positioning a light at each "corner" of the model at a 45-degree angle, you achieve a 360-degree sculpt that lifts the subject out of the frame:
- The Key Light (Front Right Corner): Positioned 45 degrees to the side and slightly above the model. This is the "hero" light, carving out the primary shape and creating that iconic Rembrandt triangle on the cheek.
- The Fill Light (Front Left Corner): Placed at the opposite 45-degree angle. By dialing this to a lower intensity (a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio), you "breathe" just enough light into the shadows to retain texture while keeping the moody, high-contrast drama intact.
- The First Kicker (Rear Right Corner): Tucked behind the model, angled back toward them. This creates a sharp, brilliant "rim" along the hair and shoulder, providing essential separation from the background.
- The Second Kicker (Rear Left Corner): Mirroring the first, this final light completes the "halo" effect. It outlines the entire silhouette, giving the subject an ethereal, luminous glow.
A Legacy of Icons: Historical Background
This technique was forged in the Golden Age of Hollywood (1930s–1950s) to transform movie stars into legends. Inspired by Renaissance Chiaroscuro painting and German Expressionist cinema, studio photographers moved away from flat, realistic lighting. They sought to create "superhuman" images, using light to emphasize bone structure and mystery. Over decades, this evolved from massive, hot tungsten lamps to the precision LED tools we use today.
The Masters of the Craft
- George Hurrell: The "Grand Master" of Hollywood Glamour. Hurrell famously used heavy boom lights and Fresnel spots to contour the faces of icons like Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford, proving that a single shadow could tell a story.
- Clarence Sinclair Bull: As the head of MGM’s gallery, Bull used the 4-corner approach to define the "MGM Look"—an impeccable balance of skin texture and dramatic rim lighting that made stars seem to glow from within.
Artistry and Emotion: The Story Told by Light
This lighting creates an atmosphere of timeless elegance, mystery, and quiet power. By surrounding the model with light from all four corners, you create a three-dimensional depth that feels larger than life. In my own work, I use this setup to evoke a sense of inner strength and cinematic noir. The hard highlights draw the viewer’s eye directly to the subject’s gaze, while the deep shadows invite them to wonder about the untold story in the darkness.
The Result: Perfection in Camera
When executed correctly, the 4-corner setup produces a portrait where the light has already done the "editing" for you. You are left with a subject traced in a brilliant halo of light, with a face so perfectly contoured that it feels both modern and classic.
Week 10 - Classic Portraiture
Lighting the Legend: A Study in George Hurrell’s Style
There is a specific kind of magic found in the "Silver Screen" era of Hollywood—a cocktail of high drama and sharp shadows. Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in a photoshoot where we stepped back in time to pay tribute to the "Grandfather of Glamour," George Hurrell. Our subject for the day was a gentleman who perfectly inhabited the role of a 1930s studio mogul. Armed with a vintage bellows camera, a classic vest, and a sharp fedora, he provided the perfect canvas to practice Hurrell’s signature techniques.
Recreating the Hurrell Aesthetic
To capture this look, we focused on the key elements that defined Hurrell’s work at MGM during the 1930s:
- Dramatic Chiaroscuro: Moving away from the flattering "soft" lighting of modern portraits, we utilized hard light sources in a classic Hollywood arrangement. By situating a light at each corner at a 45-degree angle to the model, we were able to "sculpt" the face, creating deep, obsidian shadows and crisp highlights that give the portrait a striking three-dimensional quality.
- The Narrative of the Era: The model’s props—specifically the mechanical beauty of the vintage bellows camera—serve as a tactile reminder that photography in the Golden Age was a physical, deliberate craft. Every dial and fold of the leather bellows tells a story of a different era of image-making.
- Hyper-Real Focus: While many of his contemporaries favored a soft, romanticized "pictorialist" blur, Hurrell demanded every detail be tack-sharp. In my shot, I ensured the textures of the felt hat and the glass of the camera lens were crystal clear to maintain that signature "hyper-real" Hollywood feel.
The Spirit of the Shoot
Capturing the "I’m gonna make you a star!" energy was a fantastic exercise in storytelling. It was a reminder that while technology evolves, the fundamental principles of light, shadow, and character remain the gold standard. A huge thank you to our model for bringing the Golden Age of Hollywood to life and helping us recreate a piece of photographic history.
Week 9 - Rembrandt & Butterfly Lighting
Master the Shadows: A Guide to Rembrandt and Butterfly Studio Lighting
Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out in a home studio, understanding the "Old Masters" of light is the quickest way to elevate your portraits from flat snapshots to three-dimensional art. Two of the most foundational patterns you need to master are Rembrandt and Butterfly lighting. Each serves a distinct purpose, creating vastly different moods and facial structures.
The Moody Master: Rembrandt Lighting
Named after the 17th-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn, this technique is the gold standard for dramatic, "painterly" portraits.
- The Signature Look: You’ll know it’s Rembrandt when you see a small, inverted triangle of light on the subject's cheek on the shadowed side of the face.
- The Setup: Place your key light at a 45-degree angle from the subject and slightly above eye level. The light should be far enough to the side that the nose shadow connects with the cheek shadow, trapping that iconic "Rembrandt triangle".
- Best For: This style is perfect for creating mystery, depth, and a "brooding" atmosphere. It is widely used in film noir and is exceptionally flattering for rounder faces because the heavy shadows have a natural slimming effect.
The Glamour Standard: Butterfly Lighting
Also known as Paramount Lighting—after the Hollywood studio that used it to light its most famous starlets—this pattern is all about beauty and symmetry.
- The Signature Look: It is defined by a small, symmetrical shadow directly under the nose that resembles a butterfly in flight.
- The Setup: Position your light source directly in front of the subject, but high enough to point down at a 45-degree angle. This illuminates most of the face while carving out the cheekbones and jawline.
- Best For: This is the "glamour" setup. It emphasizes high cheekbones and minimizes wrinkles by flooding the face with light from the front. To soften the shadows under the chin, photographers often place a reflector at chest height, creating a "clamshell" effect.
Choosing the Right Vibe
The choice between Rembrandt and Butterfly ultimately comes down to the story you want to tell. If you want a gritty, emotional character study, reach for Rembrandt. If you are shooting fashion or high-end headshots where the goal is to make the subject look their most "perfect," Butterfly is your best friend. Mastering these two patterns gives you the range to handle almost any portrait request that walks through your studio door.
Week 8 - Traditional & Split Studio Lighting
The Artistry of Studio Lighting:
Crafting "Bewitching in Black"
Studio lighting is far more than a technical necessity; it is the silent language of photography, a brushstroke of photons that breathes life into a still frame. In this portrait, titled Bewitching in Black, the lighting does not merely illuminate the subject—it sculpts her, creating a narrative of mystery and ethereal elegance. The true artistry lies in the deliberate control of shadows. By utilizing a directional light source, likely a large softbox or a feathered key light, the photographer has achieved a classic Chiaroscuro effect. This high-contrast interplay between light and dark provides a three-dimensional quality to the image. The light kisses the contours of the subject’s face and hand, drawing the viewer’s eye to the delicate textures of her skin and the intricate, wispy details of the feather-trimmed garment.
Furthermore, the low-key lighting scheme is essential to the "bewitching" mood. By keeping the background dark and textured—a deep, moody green that borders on black—the subject is isolated, appearing almost as if she is emerging from a dream. The subtle catchlights in her eyes add a spark of vitality, while the soft fall-off of light across the sheer fabric of her veil creates a sense of depth and movement. This image demonstrates that great studio lighting isn't about eradicating darkness, but about deciding exactly where the light should live. It transforms a simple pose into a moment of cinematic drama. The soft, diffused quality of the light ensures that while the contrast is high, the transitions remain smooth and flattering, honoring the subject’s features while maintaining the heavy, atmospheric weight of the composition. It is a masterclass in how light can be used to evoke emotion, turning a portrait into a piece of fine art.
Week 7 - Posing for Portraits
The "City Gal" Series: A Five-Part Urban Journey
This image is just one chapter in a broader five-part series. By expanding the session into five distinct looks, I was able to tell a more complete story of a night in the city.
A Narrative Arc
While this specific shot focuses on a moment of quiet reflection, the full series explores different facets of the urban experience. Across the five images, we see a progression—from the initial excitement of arriving in the city to moments of fatigue, wonder, and eventual solitude. Each image uses slightly different posing and composition to shift the tone:
- Dynamic Movement: Some shots feature more pronounced "wind" and wider framing to capture the scale of the architecture.
- Intimate Portraits: Others, like this one, close in on Sadie's expression to create a more personal connection with the viewer.
Consistency Through Post-Processing
Maintaining a cohesive look across five different composites required a disciplined approach to color grading. I applied the same transparent hue and saturation adjustments to every image in the series. This ensured that even as the city backgrounds changed, the interaction between the ambient city light and the studio-lit subject remained consistent. This visual "thread" is what ties the five images together into a singular, polished portfolio piece.
Week 6 - Mastering Shadows
Week 5 - Natural & Artificial Lighting
Mastering the Glow: A Guide to Natural, Artificial, and Mixed Lighting
In photography, light is everything. Whether you are chasing the sun's fleeting rays or meticulously placing studio strobes, your choice of lighting defines the mood, texture, and professional polish of your images. But which approach is best for your next shoot? Natural Light: The Organic Choice
Derived from the sun, natural light is beloved for its organic feel and high Color Rendering Index (CRI). It’s free, widely available, and creates a soft, authentic look that is highly flattering for portraits, especially during the "Golden Hour". However, natural light is famously unpredictable. You are at the mercy of weather and time, making it difficult to maintain consistency across long shoots. Even so, you can still shape it using simple tools like Reflectors and Diffusers to control shadows just like you would in a studio.
Artificial Light: Precision and Power
Man-made sources like strobes, LEDs, or even neon signs give you total control. The biggest advantage here is predictability; you can shoot at midnight in a basement and achieve the exact same professional result every time. The downside? It often requires a steeper learning curve and an investment in gear like light stands and softboxes. Despite these differences, both natural and artificial light follow the same core principles of direction and quality—meaning the skills you learn in one will always help you in the other.
The Art of Mixed Lighting
Mixed lighting occurs when you combine different light sources, such as a subject lit by window light while the background is lit by warm indoor lamps. This can be a challenge because different sources have different "color temperatures"—measured on the Kelvin Scale—which can create odd color casts in your photos. To fix this, professionals often use Color Correction Gels to match their artificial lights to the ambient temperature. When used intentionally, mixed lighting adds incredible depth. For example, using a natural window as your primary "Key Light" and adding a small LED "Fill Light" can make your subject pop while keeping the scene feeling "real". Whether you prefer the "honest" magic of the sun or the surgical precision of a studio, the best photographers eventually learn to master the strengths of both.
Week 4 - Reflections
The Misconception of the "Ghostly" Mirror
Reflections in photography are not merely symbols of emptiness or ghostly longing; they are the vibrant pulse of a composition that leverages the human brain's natural affinity for patterns to tell deeper, more dynamic stories.
In the visual arts, reflections are frequently used as symbols of absence—ghostly echoes of a reality that feels distant or steeped in longing. We see a face in a rain-slicked window and instinctively think of solitude or the "phantom" of a memory. However, I have come to believe that reflections are not the ghosts of a scene, but its vibrant heartbeat. They do not subtract from reality; they multiply it. Rather than depicting emptiness, reflections introduce a layer of dynamic energy that breathes life into a photograph, offering highlights that catch the eye and demand a deeper inquiry from the viewer.
The Biological Pull of Patterns
This fascination is deeply rooted in our biology; the human eye is instinctively wired to seek out and interpret patterns. In the study of visual perception, reflections are essentially organized patterns in lighting. We can think of this as a function of light intensity being modulated by the reflective properties of a surface, creating a rhythmic visual structure. By capturing these patterns, the photographer demonstrates a sophisticated level of out-of-the-box thinking, inviting the viewer to solve the visual puzzle of the frame.
A Layered Narrative
Ultimately, a reflection tells a dual story—simultaneously capturing the world as it is and the world as it is perceived. They transform a static, two-dimensional frame into a layered narrative of curiosity and intrigue. Reflections prove that the most compelling stories aren't found in the direct, flat light of day, but in the intricate, rhythmic dance between reality and its mirror.
Week 3 - Lighting & Weather
Dappled Light
Photographing in dappled light is one of my favorite artistic lighting techniques. You can focus the light on specific spots like an eye or the lips to showcase the beauty. With this shoot being indoors, the light was filtered a bit with the windows and even more so since it was reflected and then cast through a guard rail, creating these beautiful shadows.
Golden Hour
Here we have the warm sun rays of golden hour highlighting the model's hair and face. I love when the sunlight is in the model's eye and it just brings out the more beautiful vibrant color. In these photos, the lighting - while casting some shadows - adds a soft touch to these serene edits in addition to symbolizing contemplation and reminiscing.
In these photos, the golden hour rays are much brighter, therefore harsher light and darker shadows. This can be a great cinematic shot, especially with fun props like hats to cast shadows and add drama. Playing with reflections to capture sunrays can also add a beautiful flare.
These shots are taken outdoors during golden hour. Since there are no windows to filter the light, it is harsher lighting, bringing out more of the reds and pinks in the model's skin. Golden Hour has more warm yellows, and in this instance, the model was next to a yellowish wall so it was bouncing off even more yellow tones onto the model. This is called spill. It is important to note what colors are surrounding your model, especially in bright lighting. For example, if the model is next to a bush with green leaves in bright lighting or if you are using a greenscreen, the model will have a green spill on their skin and clothes.
Week 2 - White Balance
Pictured above are several photos taken with my Sony ZV-E10, showcasing the multiple white balance settings available: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Flash, Shade, Incandescent, Underwater, and Fluorescent (Cool, Warm, Daylight, and Day). By deliberately switching through these multiple white balance settings, I was able to dramatically showcase different warmer and cooler tones. This experiment highlights how crucial this simple camera setting is for capturing the intended mood and color accuracy of a scene. I feel like the most "realistic" settings were probably the Auto setting or the Fluorescent Day; they most closely matched what my eye saw in person, particularly in how they rendered the natural greens of the foliage and the brightness of the light without introducing an obvious color cast. The last photo in the compilation is an edited version using the white balance setting: Shade, as a deliberate creative choice to start with a warm base that I could manipulate in post-processing for a specific aesthetic.
CINIMATIC SHOT: I chose this setting because I loved the warmer feeling as it matches how that first sip of coffee is in the morning :) I added a vignette to draw more focus to the center of the photo; the coffee cup and words saying "Good Morning". I muted the warmer tones by adding some color style and lowering the opacity of them. I used Fall Colors at 42% and Horror Blue at 18%, this helped make the cup more white, therefore a bit more realistic compared to the original. I then combined the layers into a single image and edited with a camera raw filter to sharpen and fine tune the colors and tones.
Above is a photo taken using the white balance setting: Shade, which naturally warmed the image before editing began. I applied a camera raw filter to sharpen the details of the cup and foliage. The core of my editing process involved using a couple of photo filters, specifically a teal color and a sort of dark muted red, to "drain the colors" and intentionally get rid of the vivid greens and yellows. This specific application of color grading achieves a distinct, faded or older look and appeal while still retaining some subtle light coloring. For me, this effect evokes a sense of nostalgia and a gentle feeling of a simpler, bygone era. The desaturated palette gives the scene an intimate, timeless quality that turns a modern moment—enjoying a coffee—into something that feels like a cherished memory.
Above is an image taken with the white balance setting "Shade," then altered in photoshop with photo filters to desaturate and decolorize. I then used a camera raw filter to sharpen the details, adjust the exposure and everything, and then used additional photo filter, of a brownish color, to add a sepia tone. Monochromatic photos are great for showing the contrast between light and shadow, sun and shade, white and black. Its also great for depicting emotions like nostalgia, sentimentality, warmth, and reflection, as it often bridges the past and present through suggesting memory, history, and gentler and simpler time. It can give an "old world" vibe to a new age photo, creating intimacy or a timeless quality that I love and admire.
Week 2 Final Takeaway: Mastering White Balance
This assignment provided an excellent opportunity to move beyond automatic camera settings and truly understand the power of white balance and post-processing in shaping the emotional and artistic impact of a photograph. Before this work, accessing and understanding my Sony ZV-E10's white balance settings was a mystery. The initial compilation experiment was a revelation in how dramatically settings like Incandescent or Shade could alter an image's tone. While Auto or Fluorescent Day felt most "realistic" to my eye, the true learning came from appreciating the different vibes each setting provides, giving me a firm understanding of how to use this tool with intentionality. This new understanding allowed for specific creative explorations. I created a monochrome shot by desaturating an image taken in the Shade setting and adding a sepia tone, using the high contrast to evoke nostalgia and a timeless "old world" feel. Another piece used teal and muted red filters to "drain the colors," achieving a faded, older look that felt subtly vintage. The final, cinematic shot used specific filters like Fall Colors and Horror Blue to refine warm tones and enhance focus on the coffee cup, connecting the physical warmth of the drink to the visual mood. Overall, this assignment has fundamentally changed my approach to photography. What was once a mystery is now a core creative tool. My appreciation for the different vibes each setting provides has unlocked a new level of intentionality in my work, allowing me to link technical choices directly to the desired emotional and artistic outcome.
Week 1 - The Sky is Key
I was driving down and had to stop and take this photo. I loved the dark moody sky with a spot of sunlight. I feel like it displays rumbling feelings of upcoming change, contemplation, maybe a sense of awe and wonder. This would be perfect for architectural/urban photography, nature shots, and portraits (primarily silhouettes, as they emphasize the drama in the sky).
Sherbet sunlight creates a sky that can go one of two ways: either a sweet heart warming sunset of serenity and calmness, or an almost dystopian vibe full of mystery and humility. Architectural photography of something epic like a castle would be so cool for this, otherwise portraits due to the soft lighting.
Cotton Candy fluff, a perfect scene for a soft and sweet shot. A warm glowing sky often evokes feelings of hope and romance, especially being by the sea. Good subjects for this sort of shot could be silhouettes of people and boats,nature shots of crashing waves or maybe a crab scuttling across the jagged rocks along shore, and of course portraits. :)
Dramatic storm clouds rolling in add a shocking atmosphere for a nice windy shot along the rocks of Ediz Hook. I especially love the little tornado shaped flurry near the center, its the reason I took this photo. This exciting photo shares strong feelings of drama and the raw power of nature. It would be perfect for a lighthouse shot, maybe a cool castle, or even a city skyline.
I love these sunset and sunrise shots, especially for silhouette shots, though I would choose a single subject for this sort of shot. A single figure or an abandoned place would be ideal. They reflect feelings of volatility, somberness, and broody moods. The ominous clouds add a sense of drama like something challenging might happen.
This shot give nostalgia and renewal with a gentle kiss of romance. It would be a nice sky for an urban shoot in downtown just before sunset, especially for a cute couple. It could also be used for wildlife shots of birds or small animals along the shore. I see a close up of a seagull standing on a statue or something, with a cute couple (slightly blurry) holding hands or hugging in the background.
Hey! How's it Goin?
About Me
Jaz Nuez is a multifaceted creative professional with a rich ten-year background in visual arts and communications. Since 2021, she has established a successful modeling career, securing international publications and collaborating with notable regional designers, such as Woodland Jams. Simultaneously, she has cultivated expertise in digital media and branding. Currently, she is leveraging her degree in Multimedia Communications Web and Interactive Design to empower sustainable small businesses to build robust brand identities and thrive in the modern market.
Credits:
Created by Jasmine Bailey (Jaz Nuez)