Lighting

LIGHTING Photo Imaging

Back Lighting

Back Lighting

  In a backlit situation, it is ok for your background to be completely overexposed.  This is actually what gives you the dreamy look you are going for.

Created when the sun is positioned behind your subject which also creates deep contrast between highlights and shadows.

Translucent subjects like leaves, flowers feathers and waterfalls will seem to glow with an inner light when the sun shines through them from behind. Backlight can be used to create striking silhouettes.

Golden HourIt’s soft, warm, dimensional, and just flat-out magical. It adds a quality to images that can’t be replicated no matter how many actions, filters, or textures you use.

How to shoot during golden hour:

1)    Check the times of sunrise or sunset in your local areaDon’t just assume. Also check the weather forecast. If it’s very cloudy or there’s a chance of rain, you won’t be able to see the golden hour.

2)    Arrive earlyDon’t let the name fool you as sometimes you’d have less an hour to capture the photos in the warm tones. Especially during the Winter months. Getting there early means you won’t be rushed setting up your gear or adjusting camera settings.

Golden HourHow to shoot during golden hour:

3)    Turn off auto white balance Manually adjust the white balance to create the color mood you desire. Or, you can also experiment with the auto-presets such as ‘sunny’ or ‘daylight’.

4)    Use a tripodYou would produce clearer images and capture more vibrant colors.

Side Lighting With the sun coming from your left or right, is great for bringing out the texture of subjects.

Since sidelight strikes one side of your subject while leaving the opposite side in shadow, it automatically creates contrast.

It is therefore a good choice subjects lacking color or for black and white photography. The closer the sun is to the horizon the more dramatic the effects of sidelighting will be. 

Window LightDirectional light that is natural and great for side lit subject matter.

How to shoot using window light:

1.)Use your eyes. Think about the light in front of you. Does it look cool?

2.)Shut off all other lights in the room so you only have one light source.

3.) If the sun is coming directly through the window, you’ll end up with harsh light instead of soft. You might want that, or you might want to use a different window to get the soft stuff.

4.) When shooting people, try to get catchlights in their eyes to brighten them up. Catchlights are the little white reflections of the light source that show up in eyes. They’re good things.

VIDEO:http://vimeo.com/23451232

Shooting into the Sun - flare

Flare is technically something that is incorrect. 

The people who make our lenses do everything they can to prevent us from getting flare! 

When used correctly, flare can be a beautiful thing that adds romance and mystery to your images!  

Flare is also a great technique when you are in situations where the scenery isn’t ideal.

Night PhotographyNight photography refers to photographs taken outdoors between dusk and dawn.

Night photographers generally have a choice between using artificial light and using a long exposure, exposing the scene for seconds, minutes, and even hours in order to give the film or digital sensor enough time to capture a usable image.

Portraits

Brainstorming Session:

1. Who could be your model? 2. Where will you shoot? Time? 3. What props represent this person

well? 4. What is in the background?

Apps

http://www.lighttracapp.com/

LightKit ($1.99) Want to place a great lighting effect

to your photos? This is the app for you.

References:

http://www.mcpactions.com/

http://www.photoble.com/

http://thisismykeywest.files.wordpress.com/

http://photographyconcentrate.com/

http://www.powellcamera.com