Single Light

Ran a Studio Lighting course for Team Digital last Wednesday. Its surprising what can be achieved with a  single light. The biggest mistake inexperienced photographers make is to switch on all the lights and once without understanding HOW lighting works.
Start working with one (compliant) person and one light. Try Rembrandt broad, then Rembrandt shot. This here is a variation of Rembrandt short I call Rembrandt acute (bordering on rim). Its theatrical, dramatic and    with two people creates a narrative.
You can see some of the lighting gear Team have got on display here
http://bit.ly/xtNgYM
The price on the exposure meter is very good.

Rembrandt Tips

Its no surprise that the word photography derives from the Greek 'writing with light'. For glamour use front light, for safety use 45 degree light. For art, use 90 degree light. Ad for edgy theatrical type light use 120 degrees.
That's fairly easy in the studio but more tricky outside. Not only do you have to find the light hitting your subject at an acute angle but you need to reduce or eliminate all the front light to maintain the contrast and drama. I used a  tunnel for this shot in a private tuition group.
You may like to practise with a watermelon or pineapple - they don't get bored or have an emotional reaction. When you get it right swap the melon for a real live human being.
Tech info;
Nikon D700 50mm prime lens
1/320 sec f2.8 Aperture priority; 400 ISO EV -2.0