Lighting

Lighting

Lighting

The word ‘photography’ comes from Greek, meaning “Writing with light”.

Position

Front Lighting:

·         - Placing the subject so that the light is directly in front of the person or object

·         - This allows the shadow to fall directly behind the object so no shadows are visible to conceal any details

·         - Simplistic- sometimes flat and boring

Side Lighting

·         - Placing the light source or subject so that the light hits from the side

·         - With this technique you need to watch were the shadow falls as even the smallest adjustment can change the position of the shadow drastically. Also, small changes to the subject’s position can create more interesting shadows.

·         - Fairly simple- Creates shadow and depth

Back Lighting

·         - The light hits the subject from behind therefore making all the shadows in front of the subject, but adjusting the exposure will create a neat effect.

·         - Without a light modifier or the understanding of manual mode, you can just end up with a silhouette.

·         - Hardest- Things appear to glow and gives the portraits an explosion and halo effect.

Soft and Hard Lighting

Hard Light (small light sources)

·         - Hard light source produces shadows with contrast of light and dark areas.

·         - Used incorrectly- it will create dark shadows under the eyes in a portrait and emphasise imperfections

Soft Light (large light sources)

·         - Much more subtle transition between the light and dark areas of the image

·         - Less dramatic, disguises blemishes, smoother shadows- prevents details being lost in shadows

·         - Close light sources are softer

Colour

·   A cameras white balance corrects the photography automatically so white looks white under different light sources. Shade is often set at 7500K, daylight 5500K and sunset 2500K. Flash gels can also be used to create coloured lights. They fit over the flash and help to create a mood or atmosphere in a photograph.