Shedding Light on the SubjectShedding Light on the Subject

Film Appreciation/ Basic Photography

Mass Communication Department

Film Appreciation/ Basic Photography

Mass Communication Department

Form vs FunctionForm vs Function

We see what we expect to see, instead of what is there.

We see function, not form.

The camera doesn’t know about function, it only sees form.

We see what we expect to see, instead of what is there.

We see function, not form.

The camera doesn’t know about function, it only sees form.

To see what the camera seesTo see what the camera sees

Secret: look not for function, but for shapes, forms, the way lights hit the subject, highlights, shadows, contrast, color and relationship of subject to other things in the field of view.

Secret: look not for function, but for shapes, forms, the way lights hit the subject, highlights, shadows, contrast, color and relationship of subject to other things in the field of view.

OverviewOverview

Light and Shadow Light Source Position Light Direction Light Ratio Hard Light and Soft Light

Light and Shadow Light Source Position Light Direction Light Ratio Hard Light and Soft Light

Truss Light SystemTruss Light System

Light and ShadowLight and Shadow

Take note of the following:

Light Source: where it’s coming from?

Where highlights and shadows fall?

Take note of the following:

Light Source: where it’s coming from?

Where highlights and shadows fall?

FrontlightingFrontlighting

“Shoot with sun behind you”

“safe” lighting: bright and shadow-free photo

Flat, shadow-less photo No texture and depth, less

dramatic Nothing is hidden in

shadows (a) Up lighting (b) Down lighting

“Shoot with sun behind you”

“safe” lighting: bright and shadow-free photo

Flat, shadow-less photo No texture and depth, less

dramatic Nothing is hidden in

shadows (a) Up lighting (b) Down lighting

Front LightingFront Lighting

Sidelighting/ RimlightingSidelighting/ Rimlighting

Brings out texture and shape of subject

Produces strong shadows

Dramatic lighting: early or late in the day

Shoot northerly or southerly

Brings out texture and shape of subject

Produces strong shadows

Dramatic lighting: early or late in the day

Shoot northerly or southerly

SidelightingSidelighting

Jim Paredes, 2004

BacklightingBacklighting

Comes from behind the subject

Casts shadows towards the camera

Silhouette vs flash-fill To light the subject:

use reflector

Comes from behind the subject

Casts shadows towards the camera

Silhouette vs flash-fill To light the subject:

use reflector

Low Angle LightingLow Angle Lighting

Light comes from below a subject

Campfires, setting sun Good for eerie

Halloween portraits

Light comes from below a subject

Campfires, setting sun Good for eerie

Halloween portraits

Top LightingTop Lighting

Natural lighting effect Light source at some

angle above the subject Bad for portraits: subject’s

eyes get lost in deep shadows

Bad for scenics: shadows are short and not dramatic

Natural lighting effect Light source at some

angle above the subject Bad for portraits: subject’s

eyes get lost in deep shadows

Bad for scenics: shadows are short and not dramatic

Main Light and Fill LightMain Light and Fill Light

Main or key light: dominant light source/ provides lighting direction

Main or key light: Establishes highlights and shadows

Main or key light: dominant light source/ provides lighting direction

Main or key light: Establishes highlights and shadows

Fill LightFill Light

Fill light: second light Direct light into shadow

areas and lighten them to desired level

Less powerful than key lights

Establishes the lighting ratio; main light establishes lighting direction

Fill light: second light Direct light into shadow

areas and lighten them to desired level

Less powerful than key lights

Establishes the lighting ratio; main light establishes lighting direction

Lighting RatioLighting Ratio

Difference in brightness between the highlight area and shadow area

Lighting ratio for portrait: 2:1 to 4:1

Difference in brightness between the highlight area and shadow area

Lighting ratio for portrait: 2:1 to 4:1

Bong S. Eliab 2008

Hard Light and Soft LightHard Light and Soft Light

Hard light: produces dark shadows and harsh higlights

Soft light: produces weak shadows and muted highlights

Hard light: produces dark shadows and harsh higlights

Soft light: produces weak shadows and muted highlights

Lighting AccessoriesLighting Accessories

Bounce umbrellas: reflectors

Effective in softening the light

The bigger the umbrella, the softer the light

Bounce umbrellas: reflectors

Effective in softening the light

The bigger the umbrella, the softer the light

DIY LightingDIY Lighting

Get a spotlight bulb from a hardware

220V, 1000W 220V, 500W 220V, 250W

Get a spotlight bulb from a hardware

220V, 1000W 220V, 500W 220V, 250W

CanisterCanister

Use a paint can or mil can

Install a standard bulb socket

Connect to regular 600V wire

Install switch/ dimmer according to wattage

Use a paint can or mil can

Install a standard bulb socket

Connect to regular 600V wire

Install switch/ dimmer according to wattage

Flaps at the FrontFlaps at the Front

Use regular hinges Bold hinges on the can

using 0.5 screw/ nuts Paint flaps with black

paint

Mount canister on a regular tripod head

Use regular hinges Bold hinges on the can

using 0.5 screw/ nuts Paint flaps with black

paint

Mount canister on a regular tripod head

SummarySummary

Lighting is a very important element of every photograph. Learning to see and control lighting will make your photo better.

The lighting direction creates the overall look of the photo.

With natural light, you can control the effect by moving your subject and camera or by waiting for the sun to move to a better position for scenic subjects.

Lighting is a very important element of every photograph. Learning to see and control lighting will make your photo better.

The lighting direction creates the overall look of the photo.

With natural light, you can control the effect by moving your subject and camera or by waiting for the sun to move to a better position for scenic subjects.

SummarySummary

Built-in electronic flash lighting is convenient, but not exciting.

Soft light is more forgiving than hard light. When you go out looking for things to

photograph, look for lighting instead of things.

Built-in electronic flash lighting is convenient, but not exciting.

Soft light is more forgiving than hard light. When you go out looking for things to

photograph, look for lighting instead of things.