Portrait photography tip: Add water for extra shine

Thursday 29 February 2024, 20:10 by Elja Trum | 2,772 views | 5 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

You usually try to avoid shine on your model's skin, for example by applying a little powder. But it can also be fun to deliberately go for a wet look and lightly spray your model with water.

Emma - f/9, 1/160s, 100 ISO @ 100mm
In the photo above, Emma used a plant sprayer to make both her hair and her skin wet. This creates a shine on her skin that I think is a nice addition in this photo.

The lighting itself was done with a single octabox positioned to the left of the model. This creates a moody low-key effect.

Oh, and be kind to your model, put warm water in the plant sprayer (and leave out the Pokon).

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About the author

Elja Trum is the founder of Photofacts and online photography course website Photofacts Academy. He has been writing about photography since 2006. Elja is also the author of (Dutch) books on composition, black-and-white photography, flash photography and portrait photography.

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5 comments

Donald Willemsen wrote on Thursday 29 February 2024 at 21:34 | reply
Not really new to me. I already did ideas like this 30 years ago.
Translated from Dutch.

Elja Trum wrote on Friday 1 March 2024 at 09:01 | reply
Obviously not new for experienced photographers. There are also plenty of photographers who have little experience so far.
Translated from Dutch.

guest wrote on Tuesday 5 March 2024 at 12:15 | reply
That little bit of shine does indeed work great, thanks for the tip. Water is a good medium
Translated from Dutch.

Gerrit wrote on Tuesday 5 March 2024 at 12:57 | reply
Which powder do you use to prevent shine on the skin.
And where do you buy it?
Translated from Dutch.

Donald Willemsen wrote on Tuesday 5 March 2024 at 13:37 | reply
@Gerrit, if you make use of a makeup artist, that person always has such stuff with them. Even when a model does their own makeup, he/she will also have that with them. You can buy such stuff in the makeup section of department stores, supermarkets, drugstores, perfumeries.
Translated from Dutch.

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