RIPC: Seeing Beyond Sight: August 2008

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Lighting photography

"Photography Basics© Barbara Bell

Lesson 4: Lighting

How to Manipulate Light

Light is everywhere, but how do we get it to do what we want it to do? There are a number of ways to manipulate light, based on the vision you have.

Flat reflectors are great and now they come in various colors. Before you go out and get this as equipment, try it out first. A large piece of white poster board or foam board works well. If you’ve got a live (and patient) subject, that helps to see skin tones. If not, an object works well, too.

When you move the board, how does the reflection from the sun affect the subject? How does it change the look of light on a person’s face? Go from side to side…any difference? Kneel down lower and prop the board on the floor. How does that change the light? What about if you stood on a chair and angled the board downward?

What if the light is too strong and gives off harsh shadows? Unlike tanning, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. are not good times for photographing with sunlight as your main source. While you can get a strong tan during these hours, the rays are too strong for portraits.

The best thing to do is to diffuse the light. Softening strong light is a great way to soften shadows.

Here are some examples:

Umbrellas are a great way to produce a wide and diffused light.

A diffusion screen (like translucent plastic) helps to soften the light.

A softbox encloses one or more lamps and will produce the desired effect.

The more diffused the source, the softer the light will be. Even a white curtain or sheet draped across a window can help to diffuse the light. Anything to soften the light coming in, natural or artificial, will work.

When you envision what you’d like to photograph, are there adjustments to lighting you will have to make? Waiting for early in the morning or late in the afternoon will naturally diffuse the light. "

From: http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/18891/2403/4
Thks

gilbesoh