When used in portrait photography, the term Key refers to the overall tone of the final photograph. The elements of the portrait that play into the tone of it are the color of the background, the color of clothing used and the color of any props or foreground elements. Portraits that have a consistent key …
Category Archives: Studio Lighting Tutorials
Lighting Ratios for Portrait Photography
An important concept to understand when dealing with studio lighting for portrait photography is contrast. Contrast is the difference in the amount of light that falls on the dark areas of a scene and the amount of light that falls on the highlight areas of a scene. Humans can see a wide range of contrast …
Using Shadows
Shadows are as important to a studio photographer as light. Shadows and their characteristics affect a photo signifigantly. In fact, everything you do to change the way light falls onto your subject will also affect the shadows you produce. Since photos are limited to being two dimensional, we use shadows to illustrate depth and dimension. …
Controlling Specular Highlights
When photographing an object with a smooth surface, the reflection of the light source that can be seen in the object is known as the specular highlight. The size and characteristics of this specular highlight change with the distance to the light source and the size of the light source. As the size of the …
Distance to Subject and Relative Size of Light Source
The apparent size of a light source depends on its relative size to the subject and its distance from the subject. The relative size of a light source has a dramatic effect on the shape and brightness of the highlight as well as the softness of shadows cast by the light. A light source that …
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Understanding Reflections
Generally, all objects reflect light. How the object reflects light determines its reflectivity. Smooth surfaces reflect light at the same angle that the light falls on them. This is known as the angle of reflectance. Textured or unsmooth surfaces tend to be less predictable in how they reflect light. This becomes important in photography since …
What is an Umbrella?
Photographic umbrellas are constructed similar to a rain umbrella, but made with materials that control light. Most umbrellas are black on the outside with a reflective surface inside. Lighting units are mounted such that they are pointing into the umbrella. When triggered, the light bounces around inside of the umbrella then out toward the subject …
What is a “Hot Light”?
“Hot Light” is a slang term for studio lights that used Tungsten, Quartz or Halogen bulbs that are continuously on rather than triggered like a flash. These lights got their name from the amount of heat that would be produced from them during use. Though some hot lights are still difficult to use in a …
What is a Reflector?
A reflector is used to redirect or ‘bounce’ light from another light source toward the subject. Reflectors can be made of various materials from foam core to nylon. The more reflective the surface, the more the reflector will provide strong directional light. Less smooth surfaces provide a more diffused, softer light. Reflectors are most often …
What is a Softbox?
A softbox is a box that fits over a flash head or tungsten lamp made of black sides, with white, gold or silver interior and a translucent front where light passes through. A softbox is most popular for it’s soft, even light. Softboxes are used heavily in portrait photography and many other types of commercial …