2.2.2. The Power of Directional Lighting

06:00

2.2.2.

Welcome!!

Which Compositional Technique is being used in the image?

Reminders!

• Class Padlet to share YOUR photos:

• 2.2.3.: LIGHTING ASSIGNMENT: Monday.

• 2.3.1.: Unit 2 Test: wednesday

• The resource page has guided notes & study guides!!

• So does Padlet:

• Make sure you are working through your lessons.

• RESETS? Bookings?

• Remember to use YOUR ORIGINAL photos and new photos!

• uNIT 3 STARTS ON 3/27.

Recap 2.2.1.

TWO Main Types of Light Sources:

• Artificial: flashes, strobes, & fire
• Natural: sun, moon, & stars

How the characteristics of a light source's intensity, color, size, and distance from the subject affect the lighting and mood of an image.Hard Light: adds dimension and depth to an image by creating contrast and a strong sense of drama.Soft Light: has soft shadows from a diffused light source that is flattering for portraits.The direct sunlight preset is calibrated to use neutral color or a fairly normal white balance setting under the mid-day sun. In today's lesson, you will learn how the different directions or positioning of light impacts the subject in your photograph.

The Power of Directional Lighting

2.2.2.

2.2.2. The Power of directional lighting

• identify the characteristics of front-light, side-light, and back-light in photography
• identify the types and sources of reflectors in photography
• match lighting techniques to the photographs composed by applying each technique
• match the sources of light reflectors with their uses

Vocabulary: back-light, front-light, reflectors, rim light, side-light

Direction of Light

Light in photography refers to how the light source, whether natural or artificial, is positioned around your subject. Understanding the position of your light source is essential because it determines how light falls on your subject. It also affects the quality and intensity of light in your photographs.

DIRECTIONAL LIGHTING

Different directions of light create different shadows in photographs. Shadows are important in photography as they can add dimension or depth to your images. Changing the direction of the light will create more or fewer shadows, allowing you to achieve the effects you want on your subject or the mood you want to portray in your image. 🔥 The three main directions of light used in photography are:

• front-light
• side-light
• back-light

🔥 Front-Light

The illustration to the right shows a front-light setup, in which the light source is behind the camera but in front of the subject, as seen at the bottom part of the image.

• Shadows fall behind the subject.
• Light spreads evenly across the photo, with no section more or less exposed than the rest.
• Photographs are bright and sharp.

Front Light

This type of light direction is perfect for:

• Still life
• Product
• Portrait photography

Front Light Examples

Advantages and Disadvantages of Front-Lighting

The advantages of using a front-light setup are:

• It illuminates a subject or an object evenly and without any shadows.

• It creates an aesthetic and balanced look.

• It achieves ideal results for portraits, fashion, and beauty shots.

The disadvantages of using a front-light setup are:

• The absence of shadows can make the photograph look flat.

• A lack of texture or depth can make subjects look boring.

• It does not allow much room for creative aspects in photography.

🔥 Side-Light

The illustration to the right shows a side-light setup in which the light source is placed on one side of the subject and at right angles to the subject. In this type of setup:

• The angle can vary between 0 and 90 degrees.
• The side of the subject or object facing the side light is illuminated.
• Shadows fall on the side opposite the direction of the light.
• Textural features, emotions, depth, and patterns can be captured in detail.

Side Light Examples

The previous photographs showed the play between light illuminating one side of the subject and shadow hiding the other in darkness. Lower intensity and soft light are preferred when capturing portraits in side lighting as they can emphasize the face's texture. Hard light with higher intensity is preferred for creating high contrast with hard shadows on the subject.

Side Light Examples

Advantages and Disadvantages of Side-Lighting

The disadvantages of using a side-light setup are:

• Shadows can fall in unwanted places if the angle of light is not adjusted properly.

• Photographs may look unflattering due to excessive contrast.

The advantages of using a side-light setup are:

• It captures a three-dimensional aspect of the subject.
• It makes the subject stand out from its background.
• It emphasizes depth and texture prominently.

🔥 Back-Light

🔥 The illustration on the right shows a back-light setup in which the light source is placed behind the subject. In this type of setup:

• All the shadows fall in front of the subject, which results in a dark silhouette.

• 🔥 A rim light effect is created when a bright light outlines the subject. The rim light effect separates the subject from the background and gives portraits a nice pop and a halo effect.

🔥 Back-Light

A back-light setup increases the three-dimensional feeling of the subject as it creates more of a shadow area in the image.The harder and higher light intensity is usually used for the backlight to create a high-contrast image that looks very dramatic.

Back Light Examples

🔥 A back-light setup increases the three-dimensional feeling of the subject as it creates more of a shadow area in the image. The harder and higher light intensity is usually used for the backlight to create a high-contrast image that looks very dramatic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Side-Lighting

The disadvantages of using a back-light setup are:

• It lacks details about the subjects or objects.

• The intensity of light needs to be precise to create an impactful photograph.

• The probability is high of a back-light setup causing unwanted light in the form of rays, circles, or polygons that make the photograph look hazy.

The advantages of using a back-light setup are:

• It creates silhouettes that make for a modern-looking photograph.
• It creates contrast by adding warm light to a dark subject.
• It captures a story rather than facial expressions or emotions.

🔥 Lighting from Above

If using a natural source of light, such as sunlight, you can use this light set up on an overcast day or when the sun is directly overhead. While indoors and using artificial lights, ceiling lights can be used to produce this effect. This setup is useful when you want to:

🔥 Lighting from Above

This setup is useful when you want to:create a deeper, darker mood in the photographshow forms in a soft and lower-intensity lightcreate an air of mystery or darkness by casting dramatic shadows that conceal most of the forms beneath them

🔥 Lighting from Below

Light from below the subject lends a strange appearance to even the most familiar things. You can see this type of light in the direction of someone standing over a campfire or holding a torch from below. In this light setup:

🔥 Lighting from Below

In this light setup:

• using soft or diffused light with lower intensity can show forms effectively
• using hard light with higher intensity can cast dramatic shadows and conceal most of the forms beneath them

Reflectors in Photography

In photography, a reflector is a tool that reflects or redirects the existing light. Reflectors are used to fix or fill in the shadows created by different directional lighting. When shooting outdoor portraits during the day, a reflector can soften the harsh shadows on the face and prevent a back-lit subject from becoming a silhouette. In front lighting, a reflector can add interest or drama to the image.

Reflectors in Photography

Compare the two photographs captured using side lighting below to understand how reflectors fill in the shadows by reflecting the existing light in the scene.

The photograph on the left is captured without a reflector and has harsh shadows on the right side of the image (or left side of the subject's face), while in the photograph on the right, the harsh shadows on the face are eliminated by the reflector.

Reflectors in Photography

• A white reflector reflects soft light.
• A silver reflector reflects slightly brighter light than a white reflector does. However, it does not change the color of the light. White and silver reflectors are the most often used colors.
• A gold reflector is designed to change the color of the light. It reflects warmer tones on the subject. Gold reflectors are not used very often in photography.

Reflectors in Photography

Four-in-one photography reflectors have white, silver, and gold sides as well as a black side for blocking unwanted light. These photography reflectors are generally portable and easy to carry around.

How to use a reflector

Walls & CEilings

Walls and ceilings act as large reflectors of light. They bounce back the main light and create soft and subtle lighting in a scene

Fabric as a reflector

Different colored fabrics are used as a reflector in photography as they bounce back a softer light than other reflecting sources. White and light colors create a subtle effect while using brighter colors can modify the color tones,

White Foam as a reflector

A white foam board is used in outdoor shoots to bounce back the existing light. They are durable and do not shake in the wind. A white color chart sheet can also be used as a light reflector.

White Foam as a reflector

🔥 Mirrors and aluminum sheets often reflect too much light onto the subject. Photographers can use them to create a rim light effect.

Match the description of each directional lighting technique with the photograph demonstrating that lighting type.

a. light coming from the front of the subject, creating a bright and sharp portrait b. light coming from behind the subject, creating a dark silhouette portrait c. light coming from one side of the subject, emphasizing the detailed features of the portrait

Match the descriptions with their respective sources of light reflection.

a. mainly used outdoors as they do not shake in the wind b. reflects softer light than all the other reflecting sources c. often used outdoors to create a rim light effect d. large reflectors that create a subtle lighting effect in the scene

Fabric

Walls & Ceilings

Mirror

whitefoam board

2.2.2.

Summary

the three main directions of light: front-light, side-light, and back-light how the three main directions of light impact subjects in a photograph two additional directions of light: light from above and below the advantages and disadvantages of using each type of directional lighting how different color reflectors reflect different tones of light how different materials can be used as sources of light reflection, and the use of each source in photography

In an upcoming lesson, you will learn about the different portrait lighting techniques used in photography.

Questions?

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