Light Lecture

8/2/2019 Light Lecture

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http://www.digital-photography-school.com/photograph-

the-light-not-the-land

Uta Barth


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Exposure = Intensity (aperture) X Time (shutter speed)

Exposure is a combination of the intensity (brightness) of

Light that reaches the digital sensor of film (brightness iscontrolled by the size of the aperture) and the length of time

The light strike that light sensitive surface (duration is controlled

by the shutter speed).

YOU ADJUST THE EXPOSURE OF YOUR PICTURES BYCHANGING THE SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE, OR

BOTH

Remember 3 types of exposure?

Manual

Shutter Priority

Aperture Priority


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Exposure meters average the tones in a scene,

Average tone = medium gray =18 percent gray


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Remember!

Automatic exposure can

underexpose Or overexposeyour subject. You may have

to override it to get the

Exposure you want.

Overriding automatic exposure by

-go to manual mode

-Exposure compensation dial-Backlit button (for backlit scenes)


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If the light

Level low

Try metering

A white surface

Then +2 stop


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Overcast day is a great day!


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Tones and Bracketing Remember!For digital camera,

Overexposure can lose significant

Detail from highlight area thatCANNOT be added later.

But remember too dark area can

add noise.

For negative film, it is better to over

Expose the film than under expose.For details in shadow, meter the

shadow area then expose 2 stop

Less.

BEST BET?Bracketing = produces

Lighter and darker versions

Of the same scene


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Most peoples skin tone are rendered within 3 stop.

Dark skin seem natural > middle gray or slightly darker (meter)

Most light skin tone > 1 stop lighter than middle gray (meter +1)

Very light skin > 2 stop lighter than middle gray (meter +2)

Note: Digital > Slight overexposure can lose detail from highlight

That cant be added later.

Negative film > Better to overexpose. If you want shadow dark but

Still clearly visible then meter the shadow area and expose 2 stopLess than meter.

Change will effects ALL THE VALUES IN THE IMAGE.

BRACKET BRACKET!


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In very contrast lighting, NO film or digital sensor can record

color and details simultaneously in very light highlight and very

dark shadow

Try exposing for the most important part of the scene,

then bracket additional exposure.

Its easier to get good exposures with color if lighting is soft orflat.

Image editing software can merge bracketed exposures.


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Paul D'amato


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Increasing the sensitivity of the camera's light sensor (ISO)

introduces noise into the photo--random pixels of color.In ordinary conditions, stick with the camera's lowest ISO

level, since that'll give you the least digital noise. But when

you notice that the camera is recommending a really slow

shutter speed crank up the ISO.

Just remember to drop it back down to the lower value

when you're done.

Tip: Your camera may have noise reduction!

ISO (International Organization Standardization) number

Tells how sensitive a film or sensor is to light

The higher the ISO = the less light is required

But you pay the price:


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Iso 50 Iso 100 Iso 400

Not only grain but lower resolution and less accurate color


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Filters

Filters let you control the relative lightness and garkness of

Tones in B&W photograph.

Think of it as subtracting (and darkening) colors.

Ex. Red filter > tint the scene red > removing blue and green

= make blue and green darker.

B&W Film


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Contrast filter absorbs its complimentary color.


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Correction filters are color filters designed to correct the response

of film.

ONLY DARKEN BLUE SKY


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LINK

LOOKING AT YOUR CAMERAS histogram

LINK


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Neutral density filters absorb an equally quantity of all wave length

of light. Reduced the overall amount of light that reach the film

While leaving color balance unchanged.

Filters also used with color film and digital camera

So you can use slower shutter speed or larger aperture.


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A polarizing filter affects ONLY light vibrating at certain angles.

Use to remove reflections (glass, water, any smooth surface except

metal), darken skies, intensify colors. Increase 1-2 stops


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Special effects filters/lens attachment


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Hiroshi Sugimoto


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Tokohiro Sato (long exposure)


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Tina Modotti


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manuel alvarez bravo


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CHANGES IN LIGHTING WILL CHANGE YOUR PICTURES

YUSUF KARSH

Light can affect the feeling

of a photograph.

Ex. Brilliant

crisp

hazy

soft

harsh

smooth

Practice by observing the

light on your subject.


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Direction of light > important because of shadow

When looking at light

-direction of the light

-direction of the shadow

-Position of camera

Before you shoot, take a

Moment to consider your

Alternatives

-should you move the subjects?

--should you move the camera?

--should you wait for the sun tomove?


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Front lighting comes from behind the camera toward the subject.

The front of subject is evenly lit with minimal shadow visible.

Clear surface details but volume and textures are less pronounced.

Ex. Flash

Garry Winogrand


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Back lighting comes toward the camera from behind the subject.Canmake translucent object glow, create rim lighting, bright outline.

Shadows are cast toward camera> prominent

shadows > front of subject in shadow.

http://video.nytimes.com/


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Side lighting comes toward the side of the subject and camera.

Shadows are prominent, cast at the side of the subject.

Side lighting emphasize texture and volume. (early am.& late pm.)


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Henry Wessel


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Degree of diffusion > can range from contrast, hard edged, soft,

diffuse. Usually refer to quality of light.

Direct light creates hard- edged, dark shadow. The smaller the light relative to subject

or the farther away > the sharper & darker the shadow will be. (ex. Spotlight, the sun on clear day)


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Diffused light scatters onto the subject from many directions. Ex. Overcast sky, tenting

Its shows little or no directionality. Light shadow, indistinct edges. Subject

Surrounded by illumination.

Danny Lyon


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Directional-diffused light combines qualities of direct and

Diffused light. Shadow are visible but not too prominent.

Large window

Small

window

lets lightinto

shadow

Lotte Jacobi

Or use

floodlights &

umbrella


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Danny Lyon


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Available light --Outdoors > you cant control but learn to work with it.

Clear, sunny day creates bright highlights and dark, hard-edged

shadows. (Look carefully, move around, or use fill light)


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Pay attention!!

Light can bounce of concreteor other reflective surface onto

subject


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On overcast day, at dusk, or in the shade, light will be diffused

and soft.

Good & beautiful revealing light that illuminate all part of the scene.

Bill Burke


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The light & shadow change as the time of day change.

Work early morning or late afternoon on a very sunny day.


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Bill Gaskins

A il bl li h I d C b fl d d h f li h


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Available light --Indoors > Can be contrast or flat depend on the source of light.

When shooting indoor, expose for the most important parts of the picture.

Shooting toward a bright window or lamp indoor creates contrasty light. The light is

Directional with bright area fading off quickly into shadow. You can keep detail in

Highlights or shadow but not in both. METER THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

margaretbourke white


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Diffused light indoors occurs when light comes from several different directions

Polly Brown


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NOTE: Light indoors is often relatively dim

If you want to use existing light & not add flash or other light

Into a scene > use slow shutter speed and/or wider aperture.

Focus carefully. High ISO setting (400) or fast film will help.


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Assignment 3: Everything is Illuminated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSUOYY4oukc


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Lighting with flash > flash increase the light indoor or out.

Flash stops motion!

Use flash to:


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Use flash to:

Stop motion of moving subject & prevent blur.

Provide portable but predictable light.

Flash light is consistent

Flash light is cooler than tungsten light.


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TYPE


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Lighting with Flash

Note: Flash must be synchronized with the cameras shutter.

flash diffuser


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Flash equipment (should be used with daylight-balanced

color film)


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link


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Flash use as fill light


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Flash use as fill light

Flash use in addition to basic exposure can open up dark

shadow so they show details.


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Fl h i th li ht f ll h d d bj t th t i i t


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Flash increase the light on a fully shaded subject that is against

a brighter background.


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You dont need a complicated lighting arrangement for portraits


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You don t need a complicated lighting arrangement for portraits

Or many other objects.

Keep portrait setups as simple as possible so the subject is relaxed

Amy Stein

Outdoors open shade or an overcast sky = soft even light


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Outdoors, open shade or an overcast sky = soft even light

Fazal Sheikh

Indoor Window light is convenient source of light during the day


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Indoor, Window light is convenient source of light during the day

Amy Stein link


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William Wegman

Artificial light


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g

PHOTOFLOODS

-TUNGSTEN like a household bulb

but produce more light. Also called

Hot light. 3200K color temperature.

Quartz halogen bulb


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Quartz-halogen bulb

Color balanced for

indoor color films.

More expensive but

last longer.

Reflectors


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Reflectors

Barndoor > shades some part of subject or shields the lens


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Barndoor > shades some part of subject or shields the lens

From light to prevent flare.

Softbox > produce soft, even light.


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Same properties are present in artificial light as in available light.

The bigger the light source relative to subject,the softer the quality of light.

Similar to the sun > the farther back you move

A light, the smaller it will be and the harder theshadow will appear.

Move the same light closer = broader light =

softer light

The more diffused the source, the softer the light


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Spotlight = focuses light on subject = bright highlight & dark

Hard-edge shadows.

the farther backyou move a light,

the smaller it will be

and the harder the

shadow will appear.

Floodlight = slightly wider source but still with relatively


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Floodlight slightly wider source but still with relatively

hard-edged shadows especially when use at a distance.

Softbox or reflector = soft diffused light, wider shadow


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g ,


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DIY1

The main light (key light)> the dominant source should create the only visible shadow


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or at least the most important ones. The position of the main light affects the

Appearance of texture and volume


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The fill light:to lighten shadows.

Fill light makes

shadows less dark

by adding light to

them.

Main lightFill light

Reflector is a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to make fill light! Place reflector on the


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opposite side of the subject from The main light bounces the main light into shadow areas.

DIY! 16X20 or larger cardboard>one side paint matt white, Other side cover with crumpled then

flatted aluminum foil.

Flood light can also be used for fill lighting A light source used as


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Flood light can also be used for fill lighting. A light source used as

A fill light generally placed close to the lens so that any secondary

shadows will not be visible.

To measure the


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different

between

highlights andshadows

A main light plus reflector is the simplest setup


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-Conventional portrait lighting is realistic but flattering.


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-Use a moderately long lens

-Your choice of main light affects the quality of light


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Documents

Light Lecture