Bold lighting has a demonstrable impact on the viewer when viewing portraits.
It is the accent lighting, often reflected in the surrounding environment and the lighting which bounces off of surrounding surfaces, which determines realism and dynamism.
When no surrounding environment is included, bold lighting which highlights the shape, expression and form of the subject, which draws in the viewer and lends more value to the viewing experience.
The type of lens used (or simulated) along with the colour balance is paramount. These contribute to the natural bokeh which focuses the viewer’s eyes on the subject as well as augmenting the natural composition, structural and overall visual form of the subject.
