LearnTech-201: Photographic Lighting

Photographic Lighting Basics

• Traditional Three-Point Lighting
• "Hard" vs. "Soft" light
• Flash

Start in the Dark

You want to control all of the light and see the effects of each light as you add it. A few words about posing and backdrops... Make some distance between the subject and the backdrop Make some distance between camera and subject and use telephoto end of zoom Avoid "Mug Shot" posing

Key Light

Fill Light

Rim Light

"Practicals"

• Prop Lamps in the scene
• Give the illusion of being the only source of light
• Important that lamps in the scene apear to be giving off light or the image looks "wrong"
• Replace bulbs with low wattage equivalents if they are interfering with your lighting

Point Source of Light

aka "hard" light

Strong or "Harsh" Shadows

Soft Light

aka diffuse light

Soft Shadows

Flash

Flash is a Point Source of Light

Flash Problems

• Harsh Shadows
• "Red Eye"
• Flattens Subject
• Limited Range

Fixing Flash

• Bouncing
• Diffusing
• Use reflectors to fill
• Multiple Flashes

Available Light

• The Sun
  • Point Source of light, therefore hard; harsh shadows
  • Shoot on overcast days
  • Put subject in the shade
  • Use reflectors to fill
• Indoor Illumination
  • Weaker
  • Color Temperature
  • Sometimes more controlable

Color Temperature

White Balance