The Enlightenment in Photography
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ScribdTranslationsThe Enlightenment in Photography
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ScribdTranslationsLIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lighting is the basic element of all visual
techniques in photography.
1. It is essential to suggest the sensation
of three-dimensionality.
2. From an artistic point of view, lighting
influences the creation of environmental
effects.
3. It suggests varied atmospheres.
4. Selectively affects elements in the
scene by enhancing some and hiding or
reducing others.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
By varying the position of the light
source, the main details can be
highlighted and those that are not
interesting can be hidden.
The direction of the light also
determines the sensation of volume,
texture and, in the case of colour, the
intensity of the colour, in addition to
greatly modifying the meaning of the
message, which must be planned and
measured to have the desired impact
on the receiving public, who will
approve or disapprove of the content of
the photograph.
LIGHTING IN
PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
1. HARD LIGHT
Hard light comes from small, distant
sources such as the sun and direct light
bulbs or flashes. Distance and size
determine the degree of hardness, it is
ideal for highlighting texture, shape and
color and provides the highest degree
of contrast as well as shadows. There
is no element between the light source
and the model, also known as direct
light.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
2. SOFT LIGHT
It is so diffuse that it hardly casts any
shadows. The light source must be very
extensive, such as an overcast sky, or
bounce off a very large and nearby
surface. This lighting is the least
spectacular of all, but it is also the most
friendly and easy to control since its
shadows are softer. It is known as soft light
because there is an intermediary between
the light source and the model, such as a
cloth, paper, bounce, etc.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
3. HEADLIGHT
This produces flattening of
objects, increases the amount
of detail but cancels out the
texture. In the case of color
photography, when using
frontal light, the red-eye effect
may occur.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
4. SIDE LIGHT
This lighting highlights the
volume and depth of three-
dimensional objects and
highlights the texture,
although it provides less
information about the details
than frontal lighting and also
increases the contrast of the
image.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
5. OVERHEAD LIGHTING
Vertical or overhead lighting isolates
objects from their background and
generates high contrast, giving the image
a dramatic feel. Especially in portraits, it
can become a dark countenance. It is the
direction of light that is just above the
subject to be photographed. It can be
found in midday sunlight, in some
interiors, and in other situations such as
scene lighting. It can be used to create a
feeling of discomfort.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY Light Source
TYPES OF LIGHTING Model
6. BACKLIGHT
Backlighting simplifies subjects, turning them into simple silhouettes, which can be useful
for simplifying a subject or leaving it to the imagination. It is usually a high contrast
situation and can often appear very atmospheric and dramatic.
The subject is illuminated from behind and therefore the background is overexposed and
the protagonist of the image is completely
Camera
underexposed, so that only his silhouette
can be seen. This type of light is very
effective in adding drama to an image.
TYPES OF LIGHTING
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
7. LOW LIGHT
If lighting from directly above is rare, then doing so with light directly below is even
more unusual. In a natural context this might occur if someone is standing next to a
campfire, or holding a flashlight. Reflected light can also come from below,
from water, for example.
The oddity of this type of lighting can be used to creative effect. We
instinctively recognise that things don't seem right, and this can be used
to create specific moods, manipulating lighting to provoke emotions and
responses.
TYPES OF LIGHTING
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
8. FILL LIGHT
It consists of two more or less opposite
spotlights that illuminate the figure from both
sides symmetrically. Both spotlights form a
corridor of light through which the figure
passes. It is not very advisable for portraits
when we place the spotlights on both sides of
the figure. Very common mistake in
photography studios. The main variation
consists of making the light diagonal by tilting
the corridor so that it does not go from one side
to the other of the figure but from one corner to
the other.
It is a light more suitable for still life than for
portraiture.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY Three lights
TYPES OF LIGHTING
9. THREE
LIGHTS
Two facing lights plus a frontal one create a
three-tone game on the face that is used as
standard lighting in the cinema.
The lights are a front one at 6 o'clock, a side
one at almost 9 o'clock and a kicker at 1 and
a half or 2 o'clock.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
TYPES OF LIGHTING
10. BOUNCE LIGHT
Using direct lighting leads to a type of image with harsh lighting
and can produce the red-eye effect, since these are in the same
line of light projection.
One way to make the lighting more natural and avoid the red-
eye effect is to bounce the light. To do this, it is necessary to
work with an external flash and ensure that the environmental
conditions are free of fog or any type of smoke.
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
BOUNCE LIGHT
FOUR WAYS TO BOUNCE LIGHT:
1. Against the ceiling, giving the light an angle of about 75 degrees. The disadvantage is
that, as the light comes from above, the eye area can become dark.
2. Against the ceiling, a side wall and a back wall. The angle of our light will be about 45
degrees. The light arrives in better conditions and we will avoid darkness in the eyes of the
subject.
3. Pointing at a nearby wall. The light produced in this way provides a sense of depth.
4. If there is no ceiling, walls or other objects, we can bounce the light off a neutral-colored
surface such as a sheet of durapax, fabric, or cardboard. It should be noted that the flash
produced by rebound sends much less light to the subject being photographed, so we must
increase the power of the light.
THE SHADOW ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION
OF THE LIGHT
LIGHTING IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Studio Photography To illuminate the shadows
DIRECT LIGHT: This involves aiming
the fill light at the darkest areas to
eliminate excessive contrast. It is
advisable that the beam of light be
wide, otherwise it would be
concentrated in a single point and
would produce an overly artificial result.
Therefore, the secondary focus is
usually placed in a position opposite
to the main one. However, it is not
advisable to put it too close, since we
would have a light that is too defined
and new forms of shadow on the object.
Studio Photography
To illuminate the shadows
INDIRECT LIGHT: with this system, the fill light
will not point directly towards the shadows, but
another surface will be used that also serves as
a light transmitter. This will help us make the
light more diffuse or of a different color
temperature. For example, a reflector can be
used, which usually allows us to choose
between a gold or silver surface. We must also
keep in mind that the further away the reflector
is, the wider and softer the light source will
be, although it will also be weaker, which may
force us to move closer to the object we are
photographing.
Studio Photography
For Effects Lighting
When you have two spotlights you can
also play with them to achieve different
effects in the images.
For example, you can use a spotlight
just to illuminate the background and
place the subject in front of it, which will
allow you to fully capture its
silhouette. In this case, the shadows
between the subject and the
background are a resource that we can
use to create different figures and give a certain drama to
the scene.
LIGHTING DIRECTION ASSIGNMENT
DELIVERY DATE
SECTION 3TY MONDAY JUNE 5, 2017 / SECTION 3NV FRIDAY JUNE 9, 2017
Each student must take 7 photographs applying different lighting directions to a
model. Theme: Portrait, but not just any portrait, a
Example of what is wanted
in this assignment
1. Take a photo with Front Light.
2. Get a photo with Side Light.
3. Take a photo with overhead lighting.
4. Take a photo in low light.
5. Take a backlit photo.
6. Take a photo with fill light. What makes a snapshot a great photo is the reaction
that the photograph produces in the person who
7. Get a bounce light photo. sees it, the emotions it releases in them. The
feelings it induces.
In total, 7 photographs will be delivered. Take care of the focus. DELIVERY IS
DIGITAL.
PRACTICAL WORKSHOP
LIGHTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Activities to do
1. Practical light directionality, with
light placement and photo capture.
2. Diaphragm, Speed, ISO and
Exposure control management.
