Question 1 (30 min)
Written Assignment
Name three lighting sources and their functions.
Name two light modifiers and explain the difference between them.
Draw a diagram of and describe the three-point lighting setup.
Lighting sources
1. Flash light
The flash is a device that emits light momentarily. Most DSLR cameras have a fold-able flash light on them, but it is possible to use an external flash light that usually gives us more power and control. It can either be mounted on the camera or on a stand and used as a slave of the camera flash.
2. Tungsten lights
Tungsten lights are lights that shine continuously. These lights are found in every home, and are probably the most affordable lights we could use in photography. The downside of these lights is that they also emit heat, which can be uncomfortable and are quite immobile.
3. LED panel light
LED panels are also lights that shine continuously. Unlike most powerful lights LED panels are highly mobile and can be mounted either on the camera or on a stand or used handheld. They can be wired to a power outlet or used with a battery. This is currently the only external light that I own and I am extremely happy with it. It can be dimmed, used
with defuser filters that come with it and it can go between warm (yellow) and cold (blue) light. (If anyone is interested the model I own is Aputure Amaran AL-F7)
Light modifiers
1. Softbox
Softboxes come in many shapes and sizes and are one of the most essential things in a photography studio. Their function is to defuse and spread the light, making it softer and more appealing.
2. Reflectors
Reflectors are used to reflect the light either to the object being photographed or away from it, their primary purpose is to fix shadows. Reflectors can be found in a few different colors with the most popular being white, gold and silver. Reflectors are often used outdoors as well, helping to light up harsh shadows and make them softer. Many reflectors have a black side that can be used to block out light instead of to reflect it.
Three-point lighting setup.
The three point setup consists of 3 light sources aimed to balance and define the object that's being filmed. The key light is usually the brightest and closest to the object. The fill light balances the light on the other side of the object and it's usually placed at least double the distance of the first one. The back light lights up the object from the back making them pop up from the background by highlighting their hair and shoulders and its placed opposite of the key or fill light. This set up helps us create a well lit and detailed photographs of the object.
Question 2 (2 hours)
Research Assignment
Draw three studio setups for the following subject matters and list all the equipment that you would use to light your subjects:
Portrait
Fashion
Beauty
In a magazine or on the Internet, find one fashion shot, a beauty shot and a portrait shot and explain how you think the lighting was set up in each shot.
1. Portrait
For portrait I decided to use the "Loop Lighting" setup that is simple to create and will flatter pretty much anyone. We use a single diffused light (sun, flash or continuous light) at about 45° of the subject just above the eye level and angled slightly down.
Equipment: Bright light source and a softbox.
2. Fashion
For this fashion photo-shoot we need a well lit and bright atmosphere. The main object are the clothes worn by the model. Our main light is right beside the camera and the two moonlights behind the object are used to light up the background without distorting the reflected light that comes from the white panels placed in front of them. This setup helps us capture the object with light from every side and almost no shadows.
Equipment: Bright light with a softbox, moonlights, white panels/reflectors.
3. Beauty
For the beauty shoot we are going to use the Butterfly Lighting and Clamshell Lighting setups which are very similar. This setup helps us create soft, even lighting while sculpting the shape of the face. For this setup we are using a strobe (modified using a softbox or beauty dish) or a large LED ring light right above and slightly behind the camera. (Butterfly setup) For lighter shadows and a softer, higher key look, we place a reflector or small softbox beneath the camera, with the base angled slightly up towards the subject. (Clamshell setup).
Equipment: Bright light with a softbox or beauty dish or large LED ring, reflector or small softbox.
1. Portrait
For this photo I believe they have used the Rembrandt Lighting setup which is commonly used for male portraits. They have used a light source on the right side of the model. The light seems to be on the hard side but not completely, which indicates that the light is placed not very far from the person or it is possibly slightly defused. Zooming on the eye reflection of the man I can see a square softbox, which confirms my theory. ^^
2. Fashion
For this photo my guess is that they have used a soft light placed slightly to the right above the camera. The soft shadows under her eyes, nose, lips and clothes can also confirm that the main light is placed high above the model. Looking at the right hand of the model and the slight light that she has on the fingers tells me that they might have an additional light source placed far behind and on the left of the camera.
3. Beauty
For this beauty shot I can easily tell that they have at least 3 light sources. The main light is placed right above the camera and it looks like it is either a beauty dish or a LED ring. The 2 back lights are placed on each side of the model and have blue colors. The slight shine on the right side of her shoulder and face tell me that it is possible that there might another light source located on the right side of the camera placed further back or defused.
Question 3 (2 hours)
Practical Assignments Take some portrait shots and pay specific attention to the lighting you use. Do one shot with soft lighting and one with more dramatic, harder lighting. It would be beneficial to hire studio lighting, but if you can’t, you may use natural light, reflectors and your camera’s flash.
Soft Lighting
For the soft light I used natural window light and a reflector on the opposite side (Don't think it did much, but at least I tried)
Hard Lighting
For the hard light I used a single light source on the side (LED panel)
PS: Big thanks to my lovely boyfriend for being my model for the task.
Question 4 (4 hours)
Practical Assignments Choose a portrait photograph from the ones you took in Question 3. Create a unique movie poster for a fictional fantasy movie of your choice. Make use of different backgrounds and editing techniques you have learned.
Since my boyfriend is really interested in cyber security I decided to make a poster inspired by this.
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