The lighting tag covers the use of extra lights, often flash units, in order to make up for a lack of light or to gain more creative control over the image. It also covers questions about making the best use of natural lighting, and modifying and adapting both natural and artificial light to form ...
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2answers
139 views
Photographing LEGO models [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the best techniques for making great photographs of LEGO creations?
Has anyone got any tips for taking photos of your creations? Lighting seems to be the major ...
4
votes
2answers
126 views
DIY Lighting for Macro Photography
I am using a simple reversal ring to mess around with macro photography at my home. My question is this what is the best way to light shots for macro photography?
A Few Notes:
I am photographing ...
4
votes
2answers
95 views
Outdoor flash lights on a budget?
What are the best options for having outdoor flash lighting? I have seen a few kits for sale on ebay that cost around $1000 which include 2 lights, a battery pack, umbrellas and soft box covers.
I ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
What does “Open-N-Use” mean?
In the description of a softbox kit it says "Open-N-Use as studio umbrella. More convenient than traditional soft box." What does that mean exactly?
Here's the product
...
2
votes
2answers
86 views
What lighting accessories can I use for outdoor macro photography?
I recently got myself a Nikon 60mm f/2.8G AF-S Micro-Nikkor lens. Without vibration reduction, it will probably need lots of light when hand-holding the camera. Anyone willing to give an overview of ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
Where does the assertion that food photography must not use flash come from?
I often hear/read in webcasts and blogs that when doing food photography, it's better to use only the indirect sun light from a window, and without flash.
Why?
I tested multiple times two setups:
...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
When is it really necessary to use AF assist light?
I find the AF assist light to be distracting at times when I'm trying to take a candid shot without disturbing the human subjects or taking pictures of pets (they hate getting the AF light in their ...
0
votes
2answers
127 views
How do I fix blown out part of a picture on Photoshop?
When the following picture was taken, there was a chandelier casting light on the left side of the man's face. I would like to even out the lighting so that it appears consistent with the right side ...
2
votes
1answer
102 views
How to light macro subjects with an off-camera solution?
With very high magnification (2X - 5X) it has been troublesome to light the subjects since the lens shadow often gets into the photo. If it does not, then the subjects end up poorly lit or backlit.
...
5
votes
2answers
149 views
Ways in order to achieve warm lighting style?
The photo will be taken from the ceiling above the bed and catch the entire bed in the frame.
I am trying to simulate a feeling of warmth, safety, and comfort in his bed using the light. I have red ...
4
votes
4answers
172 views
What lighting equipment to purchase for under $50?
I'm an enthusiastic beginner with Canon 550D, shooting both stills and videos, indoors and outdoors.
My biggest problem is strong shades and insufficient light when photographing people. I figured ...
7
votes
3answers
341 views
How to avoid tired eyes in a portrait?
I noticed some portraits I took had heavy shadows under eyes:
It turned out the model had experienced some sleep deprivation, though the eyes didn't look that bad in real life. I suspect lighting ...
1
vote
2answers
206 views
What Kind of Lighting Rig is This?
I saw this lighting rig on a music video and it has had me intrigued as to what it is called. I am looking into building one but I would like to do more research before I jump into anything.
It looks ...
9
votes
3answers
418 views
How to take photos of large groups (over 100 people)?
I recently had been called to take a photo of a 100+ group. The photos were taken inside with some bright lighting. Subjects were sitting in 4 rows of a choir seats. There were fluorescent and flood ...
6
votes
3answers
618 views
When and how to use a push-on flash diffuser?
I've bought a cheap flash on eBay and got this fancy flash diffuser as a free gift:
So, what are the effects of a light diffuser like this one? What difference does it make to the resulting photo? ...
2
votes
2answers
140 views
How to do lighting for product photography of scrapbooking stuff?
I have tried to do some simple product photographing. It is mainly some scrapbooking stuff my wife has produced, like candles and gift cards. Up until now I have been using my Nikon SB-700 for ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Do I need a $600 light meter or will a $250 one do?
I want to learn more about light and I think finally getting a light meter will help do the trick. I'd like to see the amount of light coming from different light bulbs and the differences in the sun ...
1
vote
2answers
376 views
How do I light a full length portrait?
I've built a basic home studio that includes a gray paper backdrop, 3 speedlights, 2 light stands with umbrellas, a tripod (to use for self shots or as an extra light stand if in a pinch), and some ...
3
votes
4answers
232 views
How can I get good results from a one-light portrait setup?
Is there an optimum one light setup in terms of lighting the subject, providing fill (i.e through reflectors) and possibly lighting the background as well?
If you are armed with only one light, how ...
7
votes
3answers
695 views
How to avoid double chin and glossy skin in portraits?
Two of the most disturbing things I struggle with when shooting portraits are double chin of the model and glossy skin reflecting my flash, even while using diffused light. I normally ask my model to ...
1
vote
1answer
102 views
Can UV haze and high-contrast sunlight affect the appearance of bokeh?
A post on dpreview makes the claim:
UV haze and high contrasts in sunny days will make any good lens a poor bokeh performer and bokeh will likely be fuzzy and chaotic. Bokehs [sic] look best in ...
4
votes
1answer
276 views
How much distance between subject and backdrop?
When photographing a subject in front of a backdrop, how much distance should there be between the two?
Just wondering if there is standard rule (I've heard some say at least 6ft) or if it's ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
What are options for macro lighting?
What options are there for additional lighting with macro subjects?
The subjects are often so close to the lens that leaving the flash in the hot shoe or just ambient light often gets blocked. ...
4
votes
1answer
230 views
Is there a 3D lighting diagram tool?
I have tried a few tools for creating lighting diagrams. There is a good list on this question.
While these tools are pretty good, they only provide a "top view" of the scene, so vertical distances ...
4
votes
1answer
202 views
How do I compare the output of an LED panel with that of a flash?
How do I compare the output of an LED panel with that of a conventional hotshoe flash?
I haven't been paying attention to the LED panels, but they've been on the market long enough so that I'm ...
4
votes
0answers
190 views
How can I capture both sparkle and detail when photographing jewelry? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
What are the key things to think about when photographing jewelry?
I have some shiny stone studded bangles and diamond rings.
I want to capture both the "sparkle" as ...
5
votes
5answers
655 views
How can I avoid reflections when photographing into store windows?
I consistently have an issue photographing through store windows into businesses, due to reflections off of the windows. Cars and building behind me always seem to be reflected, no matter the light, ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
What is the Adam-Salomon style of lighting?
In researching aspect ratios, I came across this charming article from an 1875 journal of photography, which mentions as changes in fashion of photography the "Adam-Salomon and Rembrandt styles". This ...
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it practical to shoot portraits by only candlelight?
Is it practical to shoot portraits in candle lights, only, provided there is no flash around? If yes, then for portrait shots, where and how should one place the candles? Are there any specific ...
6
votes
4answers
363 views
In low light, does it make sense to use a normal house light bulb instead of a flash?
Actually, yesterday I shot a photograph indoors with a tubelight (on the wall) and a flash on. The results were "too" boring. The flash had robbed away all the natural looks of the scene.
Does ...
22
votes
3answers
791 views
What are the best techniques for making great photographs of LEGO creations?
There are better and worse photos of LEGO creations out there. What techniques give better photos? It seems hard to photograph LEGO blocks because they are shiny.
4
votes
3answers
193 views
Why are there multiple contradictory ways to control flash ratio?
I am reading the following introduction to flash photography:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-flash-2.htm
In this article, I came across two seemingly contradictory statements:
...
7
votes
3answers
432 views
How can I improve my photographs taken on overcast or cloudy days?
I'm interested in filters, flash & lighting options, composition, and post processing.
Is it possible to get really vibrant colors or should I give up on that and focus on dreary, muted, or black ...
3
votes
4answers
234 views
Are there any situations in which it makes sense to raise the ISO in bright daylight?
Are there any situations in which it makes sense to raise the ISO in bright day light?
For example, this pic has been taken in bright day light with ISO 3200, f18, 1/1250: ...
2
votes
2answers
327 views
What lighting gear to get after my speedlight?
I recently got a Nikon SB-700, and after spending some time trying (and failing) to take some high-key b/w portraits, I am quickly realizing that I need to significantly modify the light, because ...
7
votes
2answers
176 views
How can I make effective use of single portable strobe with direct lighting for an event?
I've been tasked with some event photography this weekend. Although the event will be held inside, the color of the walls prevents me from using bounce flash, so I have to use direct flash with a ...
10
votes
3answers
468 views
How do I photograph coins with a glossy surface?
I am trying to photograph my coin sets. The coins are encased in a postcard-sized glossy paper that acts as mirror.
I need to position my camera exactly on top of the card coin set. Unfortunately, ...
5
votes
4answers
275 views
Does adding additional strobes cumulatively add to the flash power?
I've been reading articles that talk about using multiple strobes next to each other, all pointing in the same direction: as a means to add more light over what one flash can do.
Does the addition of ...
8
votes
4answers
252 views
To take my portrait photography to the next level, should I get a second flashgun or a monolight?
I am a hobbyist and using a Canon 600D with 50mm f/1.8 and 18-135mm lenses.
I bought 430EX-II flashgun, and it works great as off-camera flash with the 600D's built in transmitter. I also have a ...
18
votes
3answers
452 views
How to photograph smoke?
I have been trying to get images of smoke against a black background has anyone got any advice on the best way to do this and a good lens choice and lighting set up for the job.
7
votes
2answers
345 views
How to create a sparkle in the eyes of a portrait shot?
In this photograph I have been told, that the eyes are looking like "black pools", which I do realize now.
What should be an ideal placement of ONE artificial light source (lamp/flash), so that ...
11
votes
6answers
494 views
What is white or black “clipping”, and how does one avoid it?
I have been told that this photograph has "white clippings"?
What are they, and which light sources should be placed in what way to avoid that?
2
votes
3answers
102 views
Is an artificial external source of light required even with a low-noise high ISO range?
Is an artificial external source of light required even if you have a camera with a high range of effectively noiseless ISO?
Are there some special cases which "need" external lights, at all costs?
7
votes
6answers
372 views
What's a decent lighting kit for getting started with portraits?
I've done mostly nature photography up to this point but later this month a friend is having a birthday and she just had a daughter so I wanted to take some father/daughter portraits.
So now I'm ...
1
vote
2answers
126 views
Is there a good flash for which you can get an AC adapter?
I'm working on a lighting solution for my studio. All of the lights will be 100% stationary and I'm wondering if there's a way to get flashes that I can just plug into the wall instead of bothering ...
7
votes
3answers
634 views
What are the effects of umbrella size?
I keep seeing shoot thru an reflecting umbrellas in sizes around 33", 36", 42" and even larger. Many of the kits (stand, clamp, umbrella) I see around have the smaller size umbrellas. Strobist.com ...
3
votes
3answers
329 views
What are the possible artificial light “sources”?
Few which I know are:
Light bulbs with umbrellas.
External flash.
I have also heard about reflectors and diffusers. Under which conditions should they be preferred?
What are the other artificial ...
2
votes
2answers
407 views
How do I best take pictures of paintings?
I am thinking of purchasing a AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 40mm F2.8 for my Nikon D5000 in order to shoot food and paintings.
Regarding paintings I am unsure how this should be done :
Lighting : pro'lly no ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
What is flat light and how to counter that?
I have often heard people saying that the light in the picture X is appearing "flat". I want to understand what exactly does that mean, and what are the possible ways to counter that?
11
votes
3answers
507 views
How do I eliminate green-screen bounce?
I've got a vehicle green-screen room. Generally speaking, it works great. However, on candy-apple red there is a noticeable problem in post production:
See the green outline on the trunk and hood ...
