Richard Egan FRPS DPAGB arrived with a Canon camera, lighting equipment, a university student model and his usual fun sense of humour, prepared to deliver an evening of practical portrait photography. Much of the equipment was in place as members came through the door of the Parish Rooms. For an hour and half, he led those present through the processes that lead to the desired end result – a striking well-lit portrait.

It is not possible to recount all the technical details given or all the small simple details that come together for a successful outcome. But here are just some.

University student Jaime-Nicole Raynor-Joyce, a talented young photographer in her own right, was the patient model for the evening. Richard explained that for photographing females, he used flat lighting in order to achieve a near porcelain quality skin tone but for male models he would not because, for men every line adds character to the outcome.

He always pre-plans shoots so that he has several shots in mind to which he can turn to keep the momentum of a shoot going. He wants his model to know what clothes to wear and jewellery suitable for the outcome he has in mind. His model will invariably wear white or black.

Jaime was lit from her right by a soft box, the light falling just above her head. This softened light source was adjusted until what Richard described as a Rembrandt style triangle of light fell on her left cheek just below her eye. He would also use a light reflector on the opposite side to the light source. It was essential to have catch of light in the model’s eyes without which any portrait lacks life.

As each stage was developed, Richard shared the resulting image with members so that the impact could be appreciated and understood. He likes to photograph against a black fabric backdrop. To create a more 3D effect to the image and bring out the depth of the left side of Jaime’s head, he softly lit not her but the background! His favourite lighting technique to achieve a beautiful image was to have the soft box slightly in front but above the head of his model and then a three way reflector right up close so that in this case, Jaime’s face was almost completely surrounded.

The image must be pin sharp from eyes to ears even if the rest of the face is out of focus. Because the line between the two front teeth is in the same plane as the eye balls, then this a good part of the model to use to ensure that pin sharp focus is achieved.

This has been only a taster of what Richard shared with everyone. After this, the quality of entries for the club’s annual portrait competition should be better than ever. Many thanks to Richard who requested, as always, that his fee goes to a cancer charity. Many thanks too, to Jaime.

Next week, it will be Miscellany, with Vic Brookes and Peter Briggs.