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Photography & Lighting. 1. SOFT LIGHT. lessens shadows reduces contrast suppresses texture Why? Light hits your subject from more directions which fills in shadows and gives more illumination to the subject. 2 . HARD LIGHT. hard-edged shadow less flattering reveals texture
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1. SOFT LIGHT • lessens shadows • reduces contrast • suppresses texture • Why? Light hits your subject from more directions which fills in shadows and gives more illumination to the subject.
2. HARD LIGHT • hard-edged shadow • less flattering • reveals texture • Why? A single, direct light source creates harsher shadows and more uneven lighting.
3. BROAD vs. NARROW Wider light source means softer light. Light is less focused on subject and is wider so it can wrap around subject more and fill in shadows. Narrower light source creates more focused, harder light. The further away the light source, the harder the light. (i.e. the sun)
4. DIFFUSION Diffusion scatters light, essentially making the light source broader and therefore softer. (I.E. clouds) Tip: Materials such as translucent plastic or white fabric can be used to diffuse a harsh light source.
4. REFLECTION Bouncing light acts as diffusion. Tip: Materials such as translucent plastic or white fabric can be used to diffuse a harsh light source.
4. REFLECTION Aim a narrow light source at a broad, matte surface—such as a wall, ceiling, or matte reflector—and it not only reflects the light but also diffuses it by scattering it over a wider area.
4. REFLECTION Use a shiny reflector, though, and the light will stay fairly narrow on the bounce. The most extreme type of shiny reflector—a mirror—will keep the light focused pretty much as narrowly in the reflection.
5. LIGHT FALLOFF The farther the light source, the more it falls off— gets dimmer on your subject. If you move your light twice as far from your subject, instead of getting half of the light intensity it only gets 1/4. b) This can be used to your advantage.
5. LIGHT FALLOFF If you place a light close to your subject, the falloff from the subject to the background will be more pronounced. Move the light farther from your subject, and the background will be relatively brighter.
6. SHADOWSCREATEVOLUME Lighting from the side, above, or below, by casting deeper and longer shadows, creates the sense of volume (makes the subject seem more three-dimensional).
7. THREE LIGHT SETUP Portrait Lighting 101 – using 3 lights
7. THREE LIGHT SETUP LIGHT 1 –key light The main source of light for the subject. It’s main purpose is not only to light the subject but also to provide depth by creating shadows. Usually positioned 45 deg. above the subject and 45 deg. to the side.
7. THREE LIGHT SETUP LIGHT 2 –fill light This light is used to “fill in” some of the shadows created by the key light to make the lighting softer. Should be about half the power of the key light. (If you want more shadow, use less fill light.)
7. THREE LIGHT SETUP LIGHT 3 –hair light Separates the subject from the background by lighting the hair.
7. THREE LIGHT SETUP LIGHT 3 –hair light Could also try something like this:
8. BACKLIGHT Backlight creates a silhouette. If the only light available is behind the subject they will just appear black with no detail.
9. LIGHT HAS COLOREVEN IF IT LOOKS WHITE “Color Temperature” Different times of day can look warmer or more blue-ish. Standard light-bulbs are very yellow. Any surface that is reflecting light can add its own color.
9. LIGHT HAS COLOREVEN IF IT LOOKS WHITE Use the camera’s white balance control to neutralize or emphasize color casts. Tip: Landscapes shot on clear days can be very blue, especially in the shadows. Set your camera’s color balance to Cloudy, which acts as a warming filter for a more golden glow
