11 Theatrical Studio Portrait Lighting

Gregory Crewson

For this project, you are to plan out a staged portrait in a dramatic scenario using props, costumes, make-up, and detailed backgrounds.

First check out some tutorials and then find some inspiration 5+ images form the internet of theatrical portraits. Check out the work by Gregory Crewdson, Alex Prager, Kirsty Mitchell, Annie Leibovitz, Jeff Wall, Irwin Olaff (warning some explicit images), Kharin Hill (look at music portraits), Sandy Skoglund, Cindy Sherman, and many more and then post them on your blog.
Jeff Wall, Cindy Scherman, Gregory Crewdson, Annie Leibovitz, Disney Leibovitz Shoots Marie Anoinette, Kirsty Mitchell, Alex Prager, Erwin Olaff.
More Inspiring Artists: Jan Vermeer, Edward Hopper, Eugene Meatyard,


Then plan your portraits. Check out the Theatrical Portraits criteria on my school web site.

If you have never tried studio lighting before, I will give a brief review next class.


For this assignment, you are to use one light, to create a dramatic, theatrical portrait scenario.
http://digital-photography.wonderhowto.com/how-to/master-single-light-studio-portraits-photography-225309/
If you have used studio lighting before, then you are to try a location and use mixed lighting. So go out and find a background that is interesting to create a theatrical scenario and add your model and a studio light: