Lighting for Age

Eric Boellner

Eric Boellner

Well-known member
Hey guys,

Just something I was curious about. What would be the best lighting technique to make a subject look older than he/she is?

Would it be hard, contrasty lighting to bring out wrinkles and such? That's what my gut's telling me, but I'm not sure. But what if the subject is younger, like early 20's or something, and you want to make him/her look like they've gone through a little wear-and-tear?

Or would makeup be the key here? Figured you guys with more experience would probably know. Thanks in advance!

Michael Traven
TravenFilm@gmail.com
 
In general hard lights would accentuate any lines, pores or wrinkles better than soft light and will be considered much more dramatic. The better the hard light is at rendering just one shadow, the better the accentuation. A hard light like a good fresnel for example. But if there are no lines and wrinkles then yes, you'll have to create some with makeup.
 
Michael Traven said:
Hey guys,

Just something I was curious about. What would be the best lighting technique to make a subject look older than he/she is?

Would it be hard, contrasty lighting to bring out wrinkles and such? That's what my gut's telling me, but I'm not sure. But what if the subject is younger, like early 20's or something, and you want to make him/her look like they've gone through a little wear-and-tear?

Or would makeup be the key here? Figured you guys with more experience would probably know. Thanks in advance!

Michael Traven
TravenFilm@gmail.com
Click to expand...

You'd probably still need something in the way of makeup to give the 'old' effect. Hard light wil accentuate lines, but if there are few... there won't be much to accentuate.
 
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