Capturing cinematic night portraits is all about using light, atmosphere, and composition to create something special. In this video, renowned photographer Jerry Ghionis shares creative ways to use the Ice Light 3 handheld LED to transform everyday locations into stunning scenes.
Turning an Ordinary Space into a Cinematic Shot
A dumpster behind a fence might not seem like a go-to spot, but Jerry sees potential in the textures and reflections. By placing the Ice Light 3 behind the fence, he sculpts the subject’s face with highlights and shadows, adding drama and intrigue.
Pro Tip
Use an Ice Light 3 RGBWW to mix cool and warm tones. A cool-toned backlight paired with a warm main light creates depth and gives your shot that cinematic feel.
Blending Light for a Natural Look
A parking lot with a truck might not scream “portrait session,” but streetlights can help set the scene. Jerry starts by exposing for the background light, then subtly adds an Ice Light 3, feathering it in to keep things natural.
Pro Tip
Use barndoors to shape the light and prevent overexposing your subject. This helps blend your light with the existing environment for a more realistic look.
Creating Dreamy Bokeh with City Lights
A colorful downtown bar makes the perfect neon-lit backdrop. Jerry places the model in front of the glowing lights and shoots with a wide aperture (f/1.2) to create an artistic blur. By carefully selecting his angle, he ensures that the brightest lights appear in the out-of-focus areas, enhancing the dreamy effect of bokeh. He balances the subject’s lighting with the ambient glow of the neon lights to maintain a consistent feel in the portrait.
Pro Tip
Get close to your subject and shoot wide open (f/1.2 or f/1.4) to turn background lights into soft, dreamy bokeh. This adds richness and visual interest to your shot.
Framing the Shot for Maximum Impact
Murals make great backdrops, but if your subject is too close, you lose the story. Jerry steps back to keep both the subject and the artwork in frame, making for a more immersive shot.
Pro Tip
Keep some distance between your subject and the background to ensure the mural stays visible while your subject remains the focal point.
Capturing Natural Movement in Portraits
City locations are full of character, but a static pose can make a shot feel stiff. Jerry has his subject interact with the environment, like walking, leaning, or adjusting her jacket, to add natural movement and life to the portrait.
Pro Tip
Encourage small, natural actions like adjusting a coat, leaning against a wall, or taking a step forward. This makes the scene feel more authentic and cinematic.
Using Light to Build a Multi-Layered Scene
A parked truck in the city becomes the perfect setting for a moody portrait. Jerry places an Ice Light 3 RGBWW inside the truck to create a glow, adding depth and layering to the composition.
Pro Tip
Use colored light to contrast with the outside ambient lighting. This technique makes the image pop and adds more visual interest.
Mastering Light for Night Portraits
Each of these setups highlights how understanding light can transform your night portraits. By blending ambient and artificial light, using color creatively, and adding depth with multiple light sources, you can take full control of your scene.
Photography is all about learning and experimenting. The more you practice these techniques, the more confident you’ll become in shaping light to match your vision. Keep exploring, keep refining your skills, and most importantly—keep creating. With the Ice Light 3 and a solid grasp of lighting fundamentals, you’ll be able to craft cinematic portraits anywhere.
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