I'd like to learn lighting techniques for outdoor shots, studio shots and indoor low lighting situations.
I'm working with an old hand-me-down tunsgten studio set (3 lights/stands that get burning hot), a large gold/silver/white reflector disk and a gold/silver reflective umbrella.
Posts: 3 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 03 August 2005
I think the best way to figure out lighting is to make a clip book out of your favorite pictures clipped from your favorite magazines. paste images that strike you into a book and spend some time analyzing them. try to count how many lights the photog used, try to come up with an infered lighting diagram, then try to reproduce the lighting effect that struck your fancy. it may take a number of attempts to get the feel of the lighting technique, but I think you'll learn more by analyzing, testing, and re-analyzing than you will by simply reading.
-good luck
Posts: 37 | Location: california | Registered: 07 February 2005
Hey! after I added the above reply I checked out your website. your lighting looks really good. it looks controled with a very good sense of light quality. so if you're dissatisfied with your current lighting I recommend my above advice doubly so. maybe you're looking for deeper tech info? well, if you're looking to shoot outdoors, where it's hard to lug your studio strobes, the guide number equation(GN=aperture*distance) is handy when used with the depth of light principle. then you can light very well, and quickly, with just a speed light or two.
Posts: 37 | Location: california | Registered: 07 February 2005
Originally posted by bayleepop: [qb] I think the best way to figure out lighting is to make a clip book out of your favorite pictures clipped from your favorite magazines. paste images that strike you into a book and spend some time analyzing them. try to count how many lights the photog used, try to come up with an infered lighting diagram, then try to reproduce the lighting effect that struck your fancy. it may take a number of attempts to get the feel of the lighting technique, but I think you'll learn more by analyzing, testing, and re-analyzing than you will by simply reading.
-good luck [/qb]
Definately! I know I can't pick up a mag and look at a spread without analysing the technical aspects of the lighting. Its ingrained in me. Heh.
Posts: 138 | Location: NYC | Registered: 13 May 2004
PDN Online is the leading photography news resource for photography professionals in the photo industry. With features, news and reviews, PDN provides expert advice on everything related to the business of photography. By offering an array of imaging software and SLR digital camera reviews in our gear guide, users can read about the upcoming trends in photo technology. PDN also offers IPN Stock Photography for professional photo buyers to license. Visit our website each day to discover the latest photography news, from photographer biographies and features, to trends in digital products. Sign up for our free photography newsletter today!
