Who wants to play with light?

[fourboltmain]

http://www.ruimleal-photography.net/LightingMods/LightingMods.htm

^ Really good examples of how to manipulate lighting on people. As a bonus there's an explanation of f-stops (aperture) too.

 

[seanutbutter]

Is that the Disney font they're using?

Great guide, though. I was actually experimenting with lighting today using a mini flashlight (I'm cheap).

 

[gius]

^it does look like the Disney font

fourboltmain is this website about playing with light on a 3D animation program? there are some words i don't get.. like light with "fill".. light cage, etc. Is a reflector a mirror?

i wonder how they make soft light and basic light different

Looks like it might come in handy
I have to create a portfolio and take snapshots of all my work
It will be nice to take photos with 'soft' light to create that kind of calm look
some of my pieces have a slight relief and the angle of the light can emphasize that

 

[fourboltmain]

I was actually experimenting with lighting today using a mini flashlight (I'm cheap).

Go to Home Depot and blow about $10 on a clamp light and a daylight balanced florescent bulb and it'll change your life. You want the floro bub because it's close to daylight color, so your camera doesn't get orange colors and since it's floro, it doesn't get as hot and uncomfortable as a regular light. Try to find the 100's or the 150's.

Remember, DAYLIGHT 6500K is the key part. It'll all make sense one day.




electrical.hardwarestore.com

fourboltmain is this website about playing with light on a 3D animation program?

No. It just shows you how moving a light around can accent different features on a person, instead of just hitting them straight on with a flash.

there are some words i don't get.. like light with "fill".. light cage, etc. Is a reflector a mirror?

Fill = the light that kind of fills in the shadows, so it's not like a black and white photocopy. Fill gives us midtones and shape. The light cage is what they are calling the thing around the figure with all the lights mounted on it. The reflector is kind of a mirror, it's more scattered then fine, so the light isn't harsh. I use white foam core sheets or actual reflectors. Either is good. I've used crumpled foil taped on a drawing easel.

i wonder how they make soft light and basic light different

Anything you can use that breaks up direct light makes it softer. Next time it's sunny outside, look at the shadows under a bridge. They will be harsh. Now look at the shadows on a overcast day, they will be soft and feathered out. I use semi clear plastic usually. It's cheap and comes in 30 foot rolls so I can cover a room if I have to for less than $5.

 

[seanutbutter]

Go to Home Depot and blow about $10 on a clamp light and a daylight balanced florescent bulb and it'll change your life. You want the floro bub because it's close to daylight color, so your camera doesn't get orange colors and since it's floro, it doesn't get as hot and uncomfortable as a regular light. Try to find the 100's or the 150's.

Remember, DAYLIGHT 6500K is the key part. It'll all make sense one day.

Thanks for the tips. For awhile now I've been looking at all these fancy, expensive lights and what not, but at the end of the day I'm back to my reliable flashlight. I'll have to try your suggestions though, as my method is definitely not going to work in the long run.

 

[fourboltmain]

Look at old 40's-60's glamour shots. None of that was achieved with digital light or cameras.

 

[Alliecat]

Does anyone (fourboltmain...) have suggestions regards shooting silver jewelery. Hard to get it not to black and white... is this 'fill'?

 

[fourboltmain]

Sorry, I just got back to this.

No, fill is the light the camera sees that's NOT making the shadow. Let's say the light is camera left, and it's a harsh shadow. Fill is a second light you aim at the person to fill in the areas in the middle. Not quite light, not quite shadow either.

Best way to light jewelry? I found these links to light stands made out of Ikea trashcans:

http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/09/make-light-tent-for-small-object.html

http://www.tackyliving.com/article.php?id=194

Instead of the elaborate woodworking going on for a stand, I'd use a tripod. I can't believe this person has a friggin hole saw, but no tripod?

 

[Alejandro]

that's so cool. maybe you can make that life size

 

[fourboltmain]

PVC pipe and painter drop cloth. You can fit cars in this. Trust me.

 

[yourbestfriend]

I really want to try this out. Fourboltmain, you're so great

 

[cocolicious]

i need to work on lighting badly