Advanced Photography at Cardonald College - Glasgow 2002/2003
Lighting
The literal meaning of the Latin word photography is "painting with
light" . The principle of capturing images was already known in the
16th and 17th century and it is widely accepted that the famous Dutch master
Vermeer used a Camera Obscura (Literally: Room Dark) to trace the outlines
of some of his paintings.
Light is therefore the most important aspect of photography. Different
sources of light can be used, Natural, Studio lighting and Flash lighting.
Daylight
The most ideal lighting is of course daylight in all its different varieties,
from soft early morning light to harsh midday sunlight.
Daylight can also be used indoors by using windows, rooflights and reflectors.
When there is a need to highlight a foreground detail during outdoors photography
flashlight can be used in addition to natural light. During photography
a hand-held or TTL build-in light-meter can be used to measure available
daylight and make calculations for Aperture and Shutterspeed.
| Flashlight Where there is an absence of daylight or a need to highlight detail in a foreground a flash unit can be used. In the early days of photography flash bulbs where used, but now most flash-units are electronic, have metering systems and are synchronized with the camera shutter. Most compact and SRL cameras have some kind of build in flash-unit but more powerful units are available as separate add-ons. |
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| Studio lighting Studio lighting is used where there is not sufficient natural light or to enhance light conditions during picture taking. Two main types are used in studio photography, floodlights and spotlights. They are usually mounted on floor stands and can be fitted with several types of attachments like diffusers, snoots, barndoors, and holders for acetate filters. |
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Chapters