Olivier Ciappa
Portrait and documentary picture-making
Patient light, and the people standing in it
Guides on lighting, editing and gear for photographs of people — written for portrait and documentary shooters, and for anyone who likes looking at a picture closely.
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Latest guides
How to Shoot High Key Portraits at Home: Simple Lighting 2026
How to shoot high key portraits at home with simple lighting, a white background, camera settings and posing tips that keep skin…
How to Do Butterfly Lighting for Portraits (2026) Guide
Learn how to do butterfly lighting for portraits in with a simple setup, precise light placement, useful camera settings, and easy fixes…
How to Use a Snoot for Dramatic Portraits (2026)
Learn how to use a snoot for dramatic portraits in : light placement, beam shaping, camera settings and shadow control for studio…
How to Set Up a Two Light Portrait Setup: Easy Guide 2026
Learn exactly how to set up a two light portrait setup: key at 45 degrees, fill two stops under, plus light ratios,…
How to Photograph Your Own Prints for a Portfolio (October 2026)
How to photograph your own prints for a portfolio in : even two-light setups, glare-free framing, accurate color matching and export specs…
Rembrandt Lighting Explained Step by Step for Portraits (2026)
Learn rembrandt lighting explained step by step with a practical portrait setup: light placement, reflector fill, camera settings, and fixes for the…
How to Light a Portrait With One Speedlight (October 2026)
How to light a portrait with one speedlight in : modifier choice, 45-degree positioning, reflector fill, and camera settings for repeatable results.
What Paper to Use for Black and White Prints: A Guide (2026)
What paper to use for black and white prints? Compare cotton rag, baryta and alpha sheets by tone, surface and black density,…
How to Design a Photo Book Layout Easily (October 2026)
Learn how to design a photo book layout that keeps attention on your images, builds a clear visual rhythm, and stays polished…
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Before the shutter opens
Consent, light and honest editing
The sitter is a collaborator
Every guide here assumes the person in the frame knows what the picture is for and can say no to it.
Light you can actually find
Setups are described with windows, one lamp and a bounce card first, so the method survives a room without a studio in it.
Editing that keeps the face
Retouching advice stops where a likeness starts to change, because a smoother picture is not a truer one.
About
What this site is for
This is a reading room for people-focused photography: lighting, editing, gear and project notes, written plainly and starting with portrait and documentary work. It is meant to be useful on a shoot day, which is why the guides stay specific and the pictures stay the point.