Lighting Tips for Artificial Light Photography
Introduction
Photography is art. People may spend hours in galleries and museums analyzing a photograph for its meaning. Like paintings, photographs have a message — often it’ll evoke joy, depression, a carefree mindset, and thought. There are lots of methods a budding photographer may learn to produce the feelings they really want. One particular method is using artificial lighting. Artificial illumination isn’t usually as fun and easy as sunlight, however, but you can use it to create wonderful photographs once you know how.
Inside this report, you will learn:
- Fluorescent and tungsten lighting.
- Setting proper exposure.
- Lighting placement.
- Creating interest with lighting.
- Advantages of artificial lighting.
1. Fluorescent and tungsten lighting.
Interior illumination is usually fluorescent and tungsten lights. Tungsten lamps are utilized by expert photographers, as ‘hot lights’ due to the high temperature they make. In photography it’s very important to understand the temperature range in regards to the colors they’ll create. A hot light will make more red and reduce the blue. Firelight and candlelight though not artificial, can be used indoors to produce shadows and depth.
2. Setting proper exposure.
When using interior lights, particularly artificial light you will have to understand exposure. It will take longer to for properly expose a photograph when you have less light. Part of exposure is the angle. Lets discuss photographing in a museum. For example I was in a museum with minerals behind glass and a woman made the statement that if she took the picture nothing would come from it. This is simply not correct. First in a darker room where you have direct light on the object you will not want to use the flash. The flash will bounce the light back at the picture. The next step is to get as close to the glass as possible. The third consideration is the angle. Taking the picture head on of the item will bounce the light and shadows about. You’ll have to angle the camera to the side or up from the ground to acquire the image. If you do not have glass in the way the angle will still be important, especially when taking portraits. Shooting any subject head on is likely to create shadows and take away from the print. The best angle for shooting portraits is often up into the face.
3. Lighting Placement.
When shooting faces or other items you generally want a three dimensional contrast. You will have to look for the planes and contours of the subject, especially in portrait photography. The contours and planes will help you determine the angle you will shoot the subject from. The shadows will often provide the three dimensional contrast if you find the correct planes and angle to shoot from. It will help with images that you would like to stand-alone.
4. Creating interest with lighting.
Artificial lighting has to be moveable. Just turning on your house lights will not provide you with the desired effect. Rather it may wash out the subject, position the light at the wrong angle, or produce too much shadow in one area. You need to have lights set up on stands to change the direction to fit your needs. Rooms are small, so that is one reason overhead lights can either be too powerful or not strong enough. Following established lighting techniques will increase your photography skills. Most amateur photographers find attending a class on lighting and having a few books on the subject can help them understand correct lighting techniques. The reason for classes is to provide feedback. You might be pleased with the photo, but suggestions will help you make the shot perfect in the future.
5. Advantages of artificial lighting.
Artificial lighting has advantages over outdoor or natural lighting, but sometimes the picture turns out better with natural light. It might be a matter of preference or the desire of a client or subject for that matter. You never have artificial lighting outside for the most part; you usually rely on your camera flash to help with the picture quality. When you choose your lighting, look for the best lighting situation to enhance your subject and make your picture as natural as possible.
Artificial lighting has advantages over outside or natural lighting, but occasionally the picture turns out better with natural light. It may be a matter of choice or the need of a client or subject for instance. For the most part, you will only use your flash for artificial lighting outdoors, to fill in where you need more light than the sun provides. When you select your lighting, try to find the best lighting situation to enhance your subject and make your image as natural as possible.
Wrapping up…
In this report, we’ve shown you:
- Fluorescent and tungsten lighting.
- Setting proper exposure.
- Lighting placement.
- Creating interest with lighting.
- Advantages of artificial lighting.
However, this is just the beginning. If you’d like to know more about taking great photographs and ways to your friends and family blown away with your photography then you may find the following article useful:
SPECIAL REPORT:
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