Basic Lighting

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Basic Lighting

• A New Appreciation for the
• LIGHT
• Both in the Studio and on Location

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The Nature of Light
All light has certain qualities, whether it comes
directly from the sun, already exists in a room,
or is brought into the room by the photographer.
The light used, whether it be sun, photoflood,
or flash is not as important as what that light
is doing to the subject. Electromagnetic
Spectrum-Visible Light- Color begins with and is
derived from light. Where there is little light,
there is little color where the light is strong,
the color is likely to be intense. Every ray of
light coming from the sun is composed of rays
that vibrate at different speeds. The sensation
of color is aroused in the human mind by the way
our sense of vision responds to the different
wavelengths of light that affect it.
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MOOD / EMOTION
Light is the primary catalyst for creating a mood
in a photograph. By mastering the photographic
applications of light the photographer can
control the viewer's visual response to his image.
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Effective Use of Light
Proper use of light can help the photographer
convey a variety of different emotions. Harsh
relationships between light and dark values
communicate a feeling of mystery and drama to an
image. A more subtle lighting ratio may convey a
feeling of peace and tranquility . High Key
lighting is ethereal and glamorous where as
direct light is harsh and abrasive.
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Flash Calibrations
We learned the capabilities of our flash and the
Inverse Square Law. As light travels it
dissipates, weakens and spreads out - therefore
you must compensate through exposure and/or flash
to subject distance.
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Three Types of Light
There are three basic types of light used in the
studio. Each one communicates a different
mood. Direct Light Hard Light (Tungsten) -
Snoot - Bare Bulb - Barn Doors Direct (side)light
will enhance the texture of your
subject. Diffused Light Umbrella - Soft Box -
White Cards - Mylar Diffused light fills in
shadows of the subject and is less harsh and
abrasive. Diffused light from above (soft box)
will enhance the 3-D quality of the subject
(gradation) Reflected Light Specula fill -
Silver/Gold Cards - Mirrors - Reflectors Help
emphasize specific parts of the subject and also
fill shadows and lower light ratio. Direct or
Diffused light from behind will emphasize the
shape of the subject!
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Lighting Theory
Texture Side Light Shape Back
Light Form/Weight/3D Top (Gradation)Side
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Concept Dictates Lighting!!!
Previsualization is the catalyst for
exposure determination and positioning and
direction of the light.
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Painting with Light!
Put the shutter on BULB and start popping
strobes, flashes sparklers or flashlights See
what happens
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Love those Light RatiosRelationship between
Main and Fill Light
11 0 stop difference 21 1 stop
difference 41 2 stop difference 81 3 stop
difference 161 4 stop difference Main Fill
Side of Subject
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Portraits and Posing
The photographer must learn some basic poses and
remember YOU are in charge of the portrait
session - gain rapport with your model and DIRECT
him/her into the pose you want them to be in.
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Broad / Short / Butterfly
When setting up for a portrait remember to build
your lighting set-up one light at a time so
you can see the effect on your subject. Use a 31
or 41 Ratio / The subjects head is often
positioned at a slight angle to the
camera--turned just enough to hide one ear. When
using short or narrow lighting place the main
light on the side of the face away from the
camera. This is the most common lighting, used
with oval faces as well as to thin down a round
face. When the side of the face turned towards
the camera is illuminated by the main light you
have a broad lighting set-up. This type of
lighting tends to widen the facial features so it
is used mainly with thin or narrow faces. With
butterfly or glamour lighting the main light is
placed high directly in front of the face.
Position the main light high enough to create
symmetrical shadows under the nose but not so
high that the upper lip or the eye sockets are
excessively shadowed.
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High Key Lighting
2 Stop difference between light on background and
subject! Make sure light on backdrop is even with
2 tenths of stop.
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Rim Rembrandt Lighting
Back light towards subject (rim) and inverted
triangle on fill side of face under eye
(rembrandt)
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Outdoor RimThis assignment was hard!
You need some LUCK on this one!
Direct sun (10-2) behind subject - meter the
bright sky!
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Styrofoam Ball
If you can photograph a white ball on a white
background and hold texture and highlight detail
and keep the balls white you can shoot any still
life.
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Eggs, Eggs and more Eggs!
How Creative can you BE???
Was this assignment FUN or what??
Some of the BEST Egg Projects Yet
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Synchro Sun Lighting
Balance sunlight (main) with strobe light (fill)
- must balance ambient and strobe reading to
achieve desired light ratios.
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Critiques
The critique is where the learning comes full
circle. We come together, share the work, discuss
photographic techniques addressed and
demonstrated in the assignment and grow from the
dialogue and constructive feedback. Must learn to
be critical of our own work!
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Field Trips...
Learning to see the LIGHT!!
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Its all about seeing...
Whether you are shooting in the studio or on
location it is important to develop a heightened
awareness (sensitivity) to the LIGHT.
Ask yourselfwhat is it doing to my subject and
how do I expose for it to in order to achieve my
previsualized results.
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New Awareness of the Light
A Heightened Awareness of LIGHT will make you a
better photographer and enable you to MAKE
pictures instead of TAKE Pictures.