Lighting Variations

Question 0

Direct Light

broad light position

Answer 0

• main light in direct lighting is a high reflector less unit-throws all over sun like illumination on subject.
• usually directed on the side of the subject turned toward the camera.
• more directional, more highlight separation.
• fill-in auxiliary light source or large reflectors.

Question 1

Bounce Light

broad light position

Answer 1

• Aiming the main light directly away from subject to reflector (ex. Umbrella)
  Soft, shadowless, most flattering.
• Often no fill light or another further bounce from another reflector on the far side of subject to soften shadows.

Question 2

Window Light 
(short light position)

Answer 2

• combination of daylight and flash, produces a natural soft low-key portrait.
• subject is placed beside window lit by skylight (not direct sunlight).
• fill light if used is 1/2 or less intensity of window light.

(Large soft box-same effect)

Question 3

Split Light

Short light position

Answer 3

• main light can be moved far enough behind subject so only half of the face is highlighted and there is no triangle patch of light on the nearest cheek.
• used only rarely- moderate dramatic low-key effects, conceal facial defects in shadow side.
• slenderize a very broad face.

Question 4

Ceiling Bounce

butterfly lighting position

Answer 4

One of most widely used forms of bounce lighting.
- flash unit on camera, pointed directly up, results softened butterfly lighting position. - need white ceiling, lack of specular highlights in eyes.

Question 5

Three basic lighting positions of main light.

Answer 5

Main Light
Fill-in Light
Background Light

Question 6

Background Light

Answer 6

Small flood lamp, short stand, mid way between subject and background.

Provide tonal separation between the subject and background.

Question 7

Main Light

Answer 7

Flood lamp or broad light source located higher than head at 45 degree angle to the subject, short light position.

Watch catchlights 10-11, 1-2
Important that catchlights high in eyes.

Only reason raise light high, to emphasize forehead wrinkles.

Diffused main light, because sharp shadow not desireable.

Question 8

Main Light

Answer 8

Short or Broad lighting- dependent on subjects facial structure.

Average oval face-short lighting broad face.

Narrow face-broad lighting

Width of highlighted area for all three subjects is approximately the same. Lighting has been designed to idealize narrow and broad faces and present them as normal

Question 9

Main Light

Answer 9

Basic consideration,
broader face- more kept in the shadow
narrow face- more it needs to be highlighted.

Broad face triangular patch smaller than normal face accomplished by moving main further behind.
-can only be judged from camera position.

Question 10

Fill-in Light

Answer 10

Generally fill light is diffused, used close to the camera at lens height, placed on side of lens, opposite of main light.

Modify for people wearing glasses.

Can cause undesireable shadow- smile lines

Will add lower pair of catchlights, should be removed.

Question 11

Hair Light

Answer 11

Used on boom from above and behind, almost a necessity. -adds hair detail and background separation.

3 Positions

• directly overhead
• left or right of hair at head level
• above and to one side of her

Shouldn’t spill over onto face.