LIGHTING CHAPTER TEN

 You can often achieve all of your lighting controls by simply working with available light and simple reflectors and diffusers.  Obviously the sun is the best natural light source, but at times this source is way to bright.  For portraits, too much contrast is not flattering.  Strong light, produces dark shadows under the eyes, makes lines and wrinkles more pronounced. Lighting

 Diffusers:large piece of white cloth that serve to diffuse light, casting a very soft shadow.  The best diffusers are the ones that collapse easily to become portable. Lighting

 Reflector:Usually a piece of glass that gives you the ability to bounce light around your image.  When working with a “silver” or “gold” reflector, one of the biggest issues is the reflector will bounce too much light onto your subject.  Fix this by moving the reflector further away. Lighting

 Collapsible reflectors are easy to carry and come in a variety of colors including white, silver, and gold.  Big pieces of white card board, paper, or foamcore will work just as well for creating a white fill.  Don’t forget you can always shoot INTO the sun.  Position your subject with his or her back to the sun, which will cause a nice rim light, or halo. Lighting

 Narrow Lighting:Turning the subject away from the main light source, and using the shadowy part as the main source of light.  Broad Lighting:The subject is exposed to the main light source, not the shadowy part of the light source. Lighting

 RANGE OF FLASH IS ABOUT 10 – 15 FEET.  FILL:Uses the flash to fill in shadows. Typically used for backlit situations (shooting in bright light, but subject is in the shadows)  RED EYE REDUCTION:Occurs when the light from your flash bounces off the retinas as he or she looks into the lens. This mode works by firing a flash, or the camera’s autofocus assist lamp, to close the subjects pupil.  CANCEL:Simply deactivates the flash. Used when flash is not needed, Flash Photography

 FLASH EXPOSURE COMPENSATION:A flash power adjustment control. Allowing you to increase or decrease the power of the flash.  FLASH WHITE BALANCE:Ability to white balance with your flash.  You will need to white balance with your flash because in many situations your flash is not the only light source in the room. Flash Photography

 When shooting with a flash in a low lighting situation, everything outside of the zone of the subject will be underexposed (dark limbo space)  If you are gunning for a quick shot, this will be your only option, but if you have more time you have two possibilities to improve your shot.  1. Higher ISO  2. Slow Sync Flash Flash Photography