Photography

Questions tagged [lighting-basics]

Ask Question

Lighting basics are all about the 'rudimentary' techniques that photographers use to light their photographs. While this often includes basic artificial lighting techniques, it is not in any way *restricted* to questions about artificial lighting.

34 questions
Newest
Active
Bountied
Unanswered
Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
168
votes
8answers
34k views

What are the best techniques for photographing overweight people?

I'm not the most lean person on the planet, and many pictures seem to really point this out. While I wish I was simply in better shape, it is simply not the case for me or unfortunately, many people....
110
votes
1answer
18k views

In portrait photography, what is 'broad' lighting? What is 'short' lighting?

What are 'broad' and 'short' lighting when it comes to studio portraiture, and when should I use each?
80
votes
4answers
83k views

What is Rembrandt lighting, and when do I use it?

I often hear studio photographers talk about 'Rembrandt Lighting' when they're setting up lights and doing studio portrait photography. What is Rembrandt Lighting, and when do I use it?
44
votes
18answers
5k views

What are common beginner mistakes in photography?

What are common mistakes seen in images taken by beginning photographers? For example, a friend of mine pointed out that the horizon was not straight in one of my images, and now I see it everywhere!...
28
votes
7answers
5k views

How do I photograph large appliances with glass doors for product showcasing?

I have a Canon m50 camera and use the default lens that came with it, a 15-45mm lens. I work in a company that makes stainless steel products, many of them with glass. So the problem is that there ...
23
votes
3answers
34k views

What is butterfly lighting, and when do I use it?

I often hear the term 'Butterfly Lighting' used when discussing high-fashion and glamor photography. How do I set up Butterfly Lighting, and when do I use it?
21
votes
3answers
5k views

What does it mean for light to be soft or hard?

I've heard of "soft lighting" and "hard lighting". What do these mean? How can I control how soft a light is?
21
votes
1answer
2k views

How do I create a (good) Hair Light?

My attempts at creating a hair light have been less than successful; I can get a hint of highlight but nothing like I see in the pro shots. What are the things that I should be adjusting in terms of ...
20
votes
2answers
26k views

What is a kicker?

In lighting, what is a kicker and when should I use it? (And is it any different from hair light?)
18
votes
2answers
23k views

What is split portrait lighting?

Ok, so I got interested enough in the other lighting setups, what is split portrait lighting and when is it appropriate to use?
16
votes
1answer
22k views

What are standard lighting setups for 2-3 people?

What are some standard lighting setups for two or three people in a group? I just can't think of non-complicated setups that would apply some previously discussed (short, broad, butterfly, split, etc)...
11
votes
1answer
4k views

What lighting effects do the various surfaces of a 5-way reflector produce?

I have a '5 Way Reflector' that I want to use in my photography, which includes the following 5 options: Gold reflective Silver reflective Gold/silver alternating pattern reflective White Scrim/...
10
votes
2answers
6k views

What is the difference between active and passive fill light?

What is the difference between an active and a passive fill light? I have an assignment that states to "use active or passive fill light" in a picture, but I need some clarification to understand what ...
9
votes
5answers
590 views

How to identify whether the available light is too harsh or too soft?

When I go out in a park what factors should I consider to determine whether the present light is too harsh or too soft?
9
votes
3answers
7k views

What is clamshell lighting, and when should it be used?

I've heard of Clamshell Lighting. What is it, and when should it be used?
7
votes
4answers
380 views

How do I start using a hotshoe flash?

I've just been given a Sigma EF-500 DG ST flash unit. I've not really had much experience using flash. How can I get started? Are there any good learning resources?
7
votes
6answers
1k views

How to choose the correct exposure for flower photography?

I have an old Minolta X-700 with an MC-Rokkor lens (its internal light metering was broken) and I'd like to use it to take photos of flowers. I use Sunny 16 rule, and though it seems that for the ...
7
votes
1answer
4k views

What is a loop lighting pattern?

I've seen several references to a loop lighting pattern, often in the context of portraiture lighting. What is meant by the term?
5
votes
4answers
641 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views

How to light and use flash in large rooms with dark ceiling and colored walls?

While reading "Using on camera flash in banquet hall with high ceilings", I realized that I have a similar problem at hand. I regularly (at least twice a year) shoot conferences for a large company. ...
5
votes
4answers
505 views

Clamshell/butterfly lighting - Should the lights move with the head?

I use clamshell lighting in my large format portrait work. Typically these are full face portraits with the lights, lens and subject all on the same axis. Most examples of clamshell lighting that I ...
4
votes
2answers
136 views

How does bounce light on an object fall off after several bounces?

I've always wondered why, when light bounces into an object and illuminates its dark side, it would not also then bounce into the cast shadow itself and illuminate the shadow region. Is there a way ...
3
votes
1answer
295 views

What lighting would help me re-create this picture?

I love the whole lighting situation on this photo so much! I would like this to be the style of photographs I take for my blog, but how would I achieve this? A question from an Amateur Photographer. I ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views

How do I get rid of the glare in this photo?

I wanted to know how to get rid of this glare on my lens, is this corrected using a filter?
3
votes
2answers
2k views

How to create high contrast lighting on a face?

Could you tell me how to get this effect between camera settings and photoshop? I know how to use the flash and backdrop, but I'm curious as to how to get the one side of the face dark.
3
votes
2answers
47 views

Is there a term for the area that a lamp lights?

Is there a term for the area that a lamp lights up? As in, the headlights on a car are small, but the area that they illuminate is large. I understand that distance to a surface would also be a factor,...
3
votes
1answer
1k views

Broad and short lighting: is one more flattering for female portraits? for male?

This question explains broad and short lighting. Could those with portrait experience confirm (or refute) something I've read, which is short lighting tends to be more flattering to females (...
3
votes
1answer
67 views

Best lighting management under a strong sunny sky with limited gear

I'll be developing a documentary photo and video project on farming communities which live +3000 meters above sea level, based mostly on portraits and images of everyday life. At that elevation, the ...
2
votes
6answers
22k views

How can I best shoot portraits with only two lights?

Assuming a two light setup, what would the best use of the two lights?
2
votes
3answers
265 views

Balancing interior/exterior scene contrast

This morning, I wanted to take an image of a room, with a window. Outside, the sun was about to rise so the sky was a dark pink/blue with a bright moon also. Inside, the room was dark, but the ...
2
votes
2answers
130 views

Metering for Fast Action Under Changing Lighting

I have been attempting to photograph subjects moving quickly in a forest (under otherwise direct sunlight, so the lighting is harsh when the subjects are not shaded by foliage), but I haven't been ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views

Why are foil reflectors used instead of mirrors

Are there any other reasons for the usage of foil reflectors instead of mirrors than the ability to fold and store in small spaces? (Mirrors reflect the light more efficiently?)
1
vote
2answers
335 views

how to balance mixed tungsten and daylight in a showroom? [duplicate]

Location: interior showroom (mixed tungsten and day light from show window) How do you balance the light? please explain I am an engineering student taking a non technical elective course about ...
0
votes
2answers
163 views

What continuous lighting options exist when flash is not an option?

I belong to a volunteer organization that occasionally takes portraits of dogs. All of the photographers are amateurs and none of us have any prior experience with indoor portraits or lighting. ...