WHICH SIDE OF FACE
LIGHTING - Which side of the face should you shoot?
Before you start shooting your subject try looking at their face to see which side suits the portrait you both have in mind. Hold a card in front of you so that it covers one side of their face and ask them to look straight at you. Then swap the card over and look at their other side. You will probably find that one side may seem older, or more tired, or more reserved. Most of us have this as both eyes are very rarely the same. One side represents the side we reveal to the world, the other the one we hide. So it is important you know which side you will use to show their personality the best. You can make someone look more masculine or more feminine depending on the side you shoot. It is odd though that usually the left side of the face is the most pleasing, both to the viewer and the subject.
Here are three frames of my daughter Tess and son Jackson, I hope they won’t mind these portrayals! Note how there are two different personalities to be gained depending which side of the face you light.