Lighting Techniques 14th November 09

Using available lighting AND differences of lighting settings via DSLR camera



Set 1 Lighting via a window on the subject’s right hand side
Shooting at 1/125, 400 ISO, F4.5, WHITEBALANCE




Set 2 Lighting via a window on the subject’s right hand side
Shooting at 1/125, 400 ISO, F4.5, TUNGSTEN




Set 3 Lighting via a window on the subject’s right hand side
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, TUNGSTAN (Incandescent)




Set 4 Lighting via a window on the subject’s right hand side with a reflector on the subject’s right (photographer’s left hand side)
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, WHITEBALANCE (Daylight)





Set 5 Lighting via a window behind the subject using reflectors as shown below
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, WHITEBALANCE (Daylight)





Set 6 Lighting via a window behind the subject (No reflectors)
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, WHITEBALANCE (Daylight)





Set 7 Lighting via a window Above the subject
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, WHITEBALANCE (Daylight) Camera pointing down onto the subject





Set 8 Lighting via a window Above the subject
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, WHITEBALANCE (Daylight) Camera pointing straight at the subject’s face





Set 9 Lighting via a window Above the subject
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, SHADEY Camera pointing down on the subject’s face





Set 10 Lighting via a window Above the subject
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, CLOUDY Camera pointing down on the subject’s face





Set 11 Lighting using a 5500K Fluorescent daylight tube on the right hand side of the subject (photographer’s left)
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, TUNGSTEN




Set 12 Lighting using a 5500K Fluorescent daylight tube on the right hand side of the subject (photographer’s left)
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, SHADEY





Set 13 Lighting using a 5500K Fluorescent daylight tube on the right hand side of the subject (photographer’s left) Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, CLOUDY




Set 14 Lighting using a 5500K Fluorescent daylight tube under the subject’s face
Shooting at 1/125, 800 ISO, F5.6, CLOUDY

LIGHTING TECHNIQUES RESEARCH

For part of my assignment I've been asked to photograph a piece of fruit/veg in a series of lighting techniques, which are as follow:- HIGH KEY, LOW KEY, BACK LIGHT, TOP LIGHT, 45/45Degree.

i previously attempted to photograph the fruit but was advised that the pictures needed improving so i thought I'd research the lighting techniques and find out a little bit more about them and then try to convey the information I'd found in my pictures.

these pictures below are from one of my sessions in the studio practicing the techniques

HIGH KEY & LOW KEY LIGHTING

Both High Key images and Low Key images make an intensive use of contrast, but in a very different way. When approaching a shoot of a dramatic portrait, the decision of making it a High Key, Low Key or "just" a regular image has great impact about the mood that this picture will convey. While High Key images are considered happy and will show your subject as a tooth-paste poster; Low Key portraits are dramatic and convey a lot of atmosphere and tension.

When looking at a High Key picture, you will probably notice two things right away. The first thing is that the picture is bright. Yes - to create a high key image you need to set your exposure levels to high values. You will want to watch out, though not to over expose.
The other noticeable feature of High Key images is the lack of contrast. In addition for the tone being bright, you will notice that it is almost even across the scene. This is achieved by carefully setting the lighting of the picture. A third feature, that need closer attention to notice is the lack of shadows in the picture. The shadows cast by the model (or subject) are suppressed by lighting in the scene.

In Low Key images the tone is darker, and the controlling color is usually black. There will be lots of dark areas in the picture. It is very common for Low Key images to give special attention to contour lines, emphasizing them with highlights.
Low Key images are also notable for a great deal of contrast that they display. Most notable is the rim light. A light surrounding the subject illuminating only the contour of the shape. So the contrast is between dark shape and bright contour.

High Key, Low Key and mood - usually, High Key images are considered happy. They convey positive emotions, while Low Key images are darker and present drama or tension.

(all the above information including pictures were taken from http://www.diyphotography.net/lighting-high-key-and-low-key for more info and examples of high key and low key photography visit there website).

BACK LIGHT LIGHTING

Back light is a term that is used for two kinds of lighting in photography. Back light can also refer to background light as well as the light that is coming form the back of the subject. there will be times when you come across your subject completely merging into the background and there is no sense of distinction even though you keep the depth of field low.

if you wish to give a three dimensional appeal to your frame then you need to put a back light. A light that will either accentuate the background or a light coming from the back that will differentiate your subject form the surroundings.

If you see the image of the girl, you can see that a distinctive aura around her separates her from the green surroundings. This effect could not have been achieved simply by using a camera flash unit, rather it has been achieved by throwing a light from behind her. This effect has made her look more glamorous and also accentuated the sense of distance between her and the background.

Background lights are also called as back lights. These lights are preferably used to highlight the backgrounds in cases where backgrounds contain details. For instance if you see the picture on your right, the background has been lit properly to bring out the details. In this case again, the background has been distinguished from the subject but instead of throwing light on the subject, the background has been accentuated.

(information and pictures were taken from www........)

45 DEGREE LIGHTING(also known as Rembrandt lighting)

Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique that is sometimes used in studio portrait photography. It can be achieved using one light and a reflector, or two lights, and is popular because it is capable of producing images which appear both natural and compelling with a minimum of equipment. Rembrandt lighting is characterised by an illuminated triangle under the eye of the subject, on the less illuminated side of the face. It is named for the Dutch painter Rembrandt, known for his use of light.

Normally, the key light is placed high and to one side at the front, and the fill light or a reflector is placed half-height and on the other side at the front, set to about half the power of the key light, with the subject, if facing at an angle to the camera, with the key light illuminating the far side of the face.
The key in Rembrandt lighting is creating the triangle or diamond shape of light underneath the eye. One side of the face is lit well from the main light source while the other side of the face uses the interaction of shadows and light, also known as chiaroscuro, to create this geometric form on the face.
The triangle should be no longer than the nose and no wider than the eye. Rembrandt lighting is a combination of short and butterfly lighting-and as such it is actually the eye closest to the camera (on the broad side of the face) that should have the triangle of light. The narrow side is illuminated. This technique may be achieved subtly or very dramatically by altering the distance between subject and lights and relative strengths of main and fill lights. It is a common photography technique.

some examples of Rembrandt's work

(above info taken from website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt_lighting)

TOP LIGHTING

I couldn't find much information about top lighting but this is the little bit that i did come across...

Lighting which originates from directly overhead. This type of lighting tends to yield rather ugly shadows under a person’s eyes and nose in the case of portrait photography and so is not commonly used for portraiture. However it’s a good way to light reflective items and is very useful for product photography.

http://photonotes.org/cgi-bin/photo-entry.pl?id=Toplighting

LIGHTING TECHNIQUES

All pics were taken using 1/125 shutter speed, f5.6, iso 100 and white balance is 5500

learning about different lighting techniques in pairs, notes and pictures follow.






SET 1



Using a soft box at 45 degree, face height.
Use higher white balance on paler skin to give a warmer effect.

SET 2

Using a soft box above face height.

Gives a flattering look, where full face is lit.

SET 3

Using a soft box above face height with white board reflector opposite.

SET 4

Using a soft box behind and above face height with a sub tractor (blackboard facing subject). Gives a rim effect, this shows shadows and bone structure. Tip:- use over exposed.

SET 5

Using a soft box 45 degree behind and 45 degree at front above face height with sub tractor.

SET 6

Using a soft box in front above face height with 2 side sub tractors.

SET 7

Using a soft box above head height (top light) in wrong position with 2 sub tractors.

SET 8

Using a soft box above head in wrong position with two side sub tractors and a under face reflector.

SET 9

Using a soft box above head in wrong position with two side sub tractors, a reflector under the face and a back light (back lit).

SYSTEMS & PROCESSES 2- LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHY

As part of the assignment Systems & Processes we were asked to undertake certain activities one of which was; Location Photography.

the brief said we should make at least 1 photograph that employs 'magic hour' lighting.

We were told that October was probably the best month to do this in. I looked up sunrise and sunset times and decided on a few places to visit for the shoot.

Here are a some of my favourite pictures taken whilst on location.



SUNRISE

One of the first pictures i took whilst waiting for the sun to rise.


I like how the top of the cloud is red in colour and also part of the skyline just above the tree tops.













This picture is one of my favorites as i love the way the sun is shining through the tail of the heron, also the heron gives a focal point in the foreground but helps lead on to the sunrise in the background.

Whilst on location i took many pictures and returned in the evening to to get some shoots of the sunset but ultimately this is the picture i decided to use as the assignment piece as it showed of 'magic lighting' at its best by making the woods which would normally feel cold and be fairly dark and dingy into a warm airy and inviting place to be.