Monday, January 27, 2014

Light Basics and Vocabulary (FIXED)


The Five Basic Lighting Techniques

Butterfly (or Paramount) -- 





  • 1. What effect does it create? It produces a symmetrical, butterfly-like shadow beneath the subjects nose.
  • 2. Why use it? It emphasizes high cheekbones and good skin, but it's less used in men because it hollows out the cheekbones and eye sockets too much.
  • 3. How many lights or light sources? It uses four light sources.


  • Loop -- 





  • 1. What effect does it create? It has a minor variation of Paramount lighting.
  • 2. Why use it? It's ideal for people with average, oval-shaped faces.
  • 3. How many lights or light sources? It uses three light sources.


  • Rembrandt--





  • 1. What effect does it create? It creates a dramatic light to illuminate your subjects.
  • 2. Why use it? To accentuate the shadow-side highlight.
  • 3. How many lights or light sources? It uses three light sources.


  • Split --





  • 1. What effect does it create? Illuminates half the face of the person. 
  • 2. Why use it? Helps narrow a persons face, and for a weak fill. 
  • 3. How many lights or light sources? 4 lights, with 2 sources.

    Broad and Short --



  • 1. What effect does it create? It illuminates the broad side of the face. Short light is when most of the broad side of the face is hidden from the light.
  • 2. Why use it? To narrow the face the short is the best option. The broad is good for making a face look more full. 
  • 3. How many lights or light sources? 2 light sources. 

  • ___________________________________________________________________________

    Fill light - Used to light shadows and control Contrast and Lighting ratios.
    Key light (main light) -
    Hair light - an accent light focused on the top of the head
    Background light - Reveals the character of the background and helps separate it from the subject.
    Shadowless -  reveals or conceals stylish and dramatic features.
    Hard light - a direct source that produces highlights and dark shadows.
    Soft light - indirect light that produces soft shadows and subtle highlights.
    Grey card - a reflectance card used instead of a subject for a reflected light meter reading.
    Reflector - Bowls that shape and intensify a lights beam.
    Diffuser - A material placed in front of the light to soften highlights and shadows. 
    Intensity - the "strength" of an incident light
    3:1 lighting ratio - a one stop ratio

    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Five Characteristics of Light

    Direction: Which side is the light coming from?
    Intensity: How bright is each light source?
    Color: Is it a warm, natural, or dark color?
    Contrast: Is the difference in shadows and highlights subtle or sudden?
    Hardness: Are the edges of the shadows soft or hard?

    Wednesday, January 8, 2014

    Year in Photos: 2013


    In order for a photographer to take this photo he/she would have to hold their camera in an upward angle and tilt it in the correct position in order to get one egg straight. The lighting used in this picture is natural lighting by the sun, and to enhance this photo the photographer probably edited the lighting and exposure a little bit.

     1. What is your favorite image from the collection? Save and post a copy to your blog with the title of the category.
    2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
    3. Describe the lighting:
    • Light source or light sources?
    • Natural/Artificial/Mix?
    • How did photographer enhance photo through use of light?
    4. Explain what work photographer have to do to capture this image?


    1. What is your favorite image from the collection? Save and post a copy to your blog with the title of the category.
    2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
    3. Describe the lighting:
    • Light source or light sources?
    • Natural/Artificial/Mix?
    • How did photographer enhance photo through use of light?
    4. Explain what work photographer have to do to capture this image?


    1. What is your favorite image from the collection? Save and post a copy to your blog with the title of the category.
    2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.

    3. Describe the lighting:
    • Light source or light sources?
    • Natural/Artificial/Mix?
    • How did photographer enhance photo through use of light? 

    4. Explain what work photographer have to do to capture this image?

    1. What is your favorite image from the collection? Save and post a copy to your blog with the title of the category.
    2. Explain Rules of Composition present in photo and provide written evidence.
    3. Describe the lighting:

    • Light source or light sources?
    • Natural/Artificial/Mix?
    • How did photographer enhance photo through use of light?
    4. Explain what work photographer have to do to capture this image?