Flash “Circle of Life”

When to use a flash? When the available light is too low to deliver a sharp image. Aperture is wide open and shutter speed is too slow to effectively capture subjects in motion Shooting hand-held and you don’t have a tripod to reduce camera shake When the available light is too bright creating high contrast between highlight & shadow. When you want to create a studio effect on location

Use flash to reduce “Raccoon Eyes” on the subject’s face. Fill Flash Use flash to reduce “Raccoon Eyes” on the subject’s face.

Creates a specular highlight in eyes, bringing them to life. Fill Flash Creates a specular highlight in eyes, bringing them to life.

Fill Flash Backlit subjects.

Studio Effect

Studio Effect

Studio Effect

Flash Main Light Fill Light Flash Accent Sunlight Fill Light Flash Accent 10

Fill Flash Hint: “Over-flashing” is when the flash output exceeds the ambient light causing a washed out effect. When natural light is bright enough to get an acceptable exposure, the flash should be set to 1 to 2 stops below exposure to bring life to the eyes and slightly fill in the shadows.

Red Eye Red-eye is caused by the reflection of light off the back of the retina. The compact camera’s built-in flash creates a direct line of flash that bounces back to the lens.

The Angle of Incidence = the Angle of Reflection Red Eye The Angle of Incidence = the Angle of Reflection

Studio Lighting

Studio Portrait Lighting The Main / Key light is the most important light in the studio. It’s purpose is to provide light for the exposure and create a lighting pattern on the subject. The standard light shaper for the Main light is called a “soft box”. This apparatus uses a translucent diffusion material to soften the harsh light emitted by the strobe, otherwise known as “bare bulb”.

Studio Portrait Lighting The Fill light’s purpose is to provide exposure in the dark shadows created by the Main/Key light. The standard light shaper for the Main light is called an “umbrella”. The Main light is most often brighter than the fill light and differences between the two are indicated in ratios. (i.e. 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, etc...)

Studio Portrait Lighting The purpose of the Honeycomb Spot Grid and the Snoot is to highlight the subjects outline to separate them from the background. This gives the image a more 3 dimensional look. They are normally placed behind and pointed toward the subject. (approx. 45º off axis)

Studio Portrait Lighting Using a light meter can eliminate the guess work out of setting studio lighting output and ratios. The meter can be set to record ambient light and flash output. Like the camera’s internal spot meter, the hand-held meter gives values of light based on 18% gray reading.

Studio Portrait Lighting Broad lighting results when the subject’s face is turned slightly away from the Main light exposing the large (broad) side of the face. Short lighting results when the subject’s face turned slightly toward the Main light exposing the smaller (short) side of the face.

Studio Portrait Lighting Split lighting pattern “splits” the face in 50% highlight and 50% shadow.

Studio Portrait Lighting Rembrandt’s lighting pattern becomes the most emulated for portrait photographers. Notice the “triangle” of light on the shadow side of the face.

Studio Portrait Lighting Loop lighting pattern is created when the light from the bottom of the Rembrandt Triangle “loops” around the nose and meets the light from the opposing side of the face.

Studio Portrait Lighting Butterfly lighting pattern creates a “butterfly” pattern under the subject’s nose.

Putting it all together

Lighting Ratios

f/4 f/4

f/5.6 f/4

f/8 f/4

f/5.6 f/4

f/8 f/4

Cool Websites 1. Digital Photography School http://digital-photography-school.com/ 2. Mac On Campus https://www.mac-on-campus.com/

Flash & studio photography often separates the novice from the professional. The amount of assignments in this area are limitless and can keep students busy for a very long time. Here are some project ideas.

Assignment Assignment: “Circle of Life” You are to take a series of portraits that represent 3 stages of life from the following list: new born baby e. Bride/Groom young child f. Family Portrait teenager g. Senior Citizen 20/30 something Each portrait session can either be a formal portrait or an on-location “lifestyle” portrait. All images must include a flash or strobe in one of three positions: Main Light, Fill Light, or Back light. Create a 10 picture contact print for each stage (30 total) and print an 3 -8 x 10 of your best work in each stage.