Monday, January 27, 2014

Light Basics and Vocabulary

Rembrandt - 1. Gives a small triangle of light on the opposite side of the face. Completes the shadow loop. 2. To make the subject more flattering. 3. Only one light.

Butterfly Light - The light is right above the camera and gives the subject a full light face with a shadow just under the nose. 2. It is a beauty light, creates less short. 3. Only one light.

Split Light - The shadow is completely split across the face, creating a shadow. 2. To make the subject look more dramatic. 3. Only one light.

Loop Light - A variation of the butterfly. Creates just a slight shadow on the face, a loop of light. 2. Depends on the individual. 3. Only one light.

Broad and Short - Opposite of a Rembrandt light. Looking into the broad side of the face. 2. Make it more flattering. 3. Only one light.




Fill light - Used to lighten shadows

Key light (main light) - Should be a main light, like the sun.

Hair light - An accent light that comes from above the head. 

Background light - Gives the background more character with light. 

Shadowless - Creating a photo without any shadows. 

Hard light - Light that produces strong high lights and dark shadows.

Soft light - Diffused or indirect light that is the opposite of hard light. 

Grey card - A card that is used to reflect of light. 

Reflector - Redirects the light. Almost like a mirror.

Diffuser - Something placed in front of  the light, to make it less bright. 

Intensity (Strength, or how to set shutter speed and aperture's appropriate to portraits) - How strong the light is. 

3:1 lighting ratio - when the light difference between two light sources is 1/2 f-stops


Direction: Is where the light is coming from.
Intensity: How bright the light source is.
Color: The color of the light source.
Contrast: The difference between shadows and highlights.
Hardness: How intense the edges of the shadows are. 

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