Questions tagged [lighting-basics]
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
168
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8answers
33k 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?
78
votes
4answers
82k 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!...
26
votes
7answers
5k views
Large products with glass doors
I have Canon m50 camera and using the default lens that came with it 15-45mm
I work in a company that make stainless steel products alot of them with glass
so the problem is that there is always a ...
23
votes
3answers
33k 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
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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
25k 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
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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?
15
votes
1answer
21k 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
5k 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
557 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
373 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
639 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
857 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
442 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
126 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
291 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
990 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
66 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
21k 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
186 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
129 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
864 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
314 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
160 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. ...