Shoot portraits in low light
Seize the opportunities for vibrant colors and slower shutter speeds
AS WE CONTINUE to experience shorter days and long winter evenings, there are more opportunities for capturing stunning low–light portraits. City lights can add an extra dimension of color and atmosphere, however, whether you’re shooting indoors or out, low light can prove problematic for even the most accomplished photographer. By default, your iPhone’s Camera app works automatically to try and capture detail in low light. It will choose a slower shutter speed to let in more light and get a better exposure (though this can lead to motion blur if the subject moves).
The Camera app may also use a higher ISO speed which causes the sensor to be more sensitive to available light (though this can result in a grainier portrait). In low light, your iPhone’s flash may deploy automatically, but this burst of on– camera light can lead to a flat–lit and bleached–out face. Flash can also bounce off the subject’s retinas and create a case of the dreaded “red–eye”.
OFF–CAMERA LIGHT
You can get the iPhone to use a faster shutter speed and a less noisy ISO setting by carrying a small LED light with you. There are many reasonably priced LED lights available, such as the SmallRig RM120 RGB ($59.90, www.smallrig.com). Some LEDs also produce a wide range of colors to complement city lights or change the mood of your low–light portrait. By placing an off–camera LED at an angle to the subject, you can add modeling–style light that emphasizes the contours of their face and creates a more flattering three–dimensional look (rather than the flat look produced by the camera’s flash). Indeed, you can force the iPhone’s less–than–flattering flash to stay off by swiping up in the Camera app, tapping on the Flash button and choosing Flash Off.
SLOW SHUTTER
Because low light often leads to a longer exposure, try shooting your subject against a backdrop of city traffic. The Camera app’s automatic slow shutter speed causes moving vehicles to produce light streaks that add color and energy to your portrait. You can also shoot in Live Photo mode, then tap the Long Exposure option in the Photos app (top–left dropdown) to add motion blur. You can make use of a third–party app such as Slow Shutter Cam ($2.99, https://cogitap.com) to take even more control over the duration of an exposure — check out step 4 in our tutorial.