Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2007; 5(2): 131-141.
An Analysis of the Relation between Artificial Lighting and Makeup
for Portrait Photos
- centering on Koreans -
ABSTRACT
The way of lighting up to now has brought unexpected results due to applying western technologies
to Korean as they are. It can be said Koreans have rounded and flat faces and undefined
features in comparison with western people. In order to give flat faces of Koreans three-dimensional
effects and to express more beautiful, lighting suitable for Koreans should be selected. It is true that
lighting is one of the important factors for the best portrait photos; however, makeup is also one of
the principal factors to show the figures in those photos, that is, the models most beautifully and
individually. Generally, we give attention to the fact that light and lighting affect on photo and image
effects importantly, but lose sight of the relation between makeup and lighting for figures in
photos and images actually. To take good portrait photos, we need to understand characteristics of
makeup and lighting suitable for shapes of Korean faces. With regard to the method of study for
taking portrait photos, I performed the research on the characteristics of Korean features on the basis
of various relevant books and preceded master’s and doctoral theses, the study of the classification
of face shapes, the grasp of ideal faces shapes, the research on the characteristics and kinds
of lighting, the classification of makeup for Koreans by each faces shape and the application to
models directly, and the analysis of the relation with lighting. As the result of the above study, the
makeup with vivid line by giving cubic effects is effective for Korean women’s portrait photos. The
lighting is effective when raising the position of the main lighting to make it downward. It has better
results to take photos downward after bowing model’s body and face forward and raising the
camera slightly. The ratio of the main to auxiliary lighting is 1:4 to make the shadowed part slightly
darker by using the Short Lighting Method. Finally, the study results that the lighting method
suitable for Koreans is to use the Rembrandt Lighting Method, which is inclining the main lighting
45 degrees toward a model.
Keywords :
Artificial Lighting, Portrait Photos, Make up
