R3.2 On Camera Lighting- vs Natural Lighting

Overview

In this section, students learn about bounce lighting in photography, which involves directing flash at a surface to illuminate a subject indirectly. Key aspects include understanding how surface properties, flash angle, and flash zoom impact the resulting lighting effect. While bounce lighting can create visually appealing results, it also presents challenges like color casting and underexposure in large spaces. To manage these limitations, photographers can use tools like attachable bounce cards, which redirect light, and diffusion domes, which scatter light for a softer illumination. Practice and experimentation are emphasized for mastering these techniques and producing professional-quality photographs.

In wedding photography, the use of natural light and wide aperture lenses, also known as “fast glass,” can produce authentic and beautiful results. However, solely relying on natural light may not always suffice due to its inconsistency, necessitating the use of small fill lights for balanced exposure, especially in low-light situations. Although the minimal setup enabled by natural light provides flexibility, carrying a portable fill light, such as a budget-friendly 160-LED continuous light, is essential for enhancing illumination when needed. Ultimately, adaptability to various lighting conditions and readiness to incorporate additional lighting equipment ensure consistently high-quality photography results.

By The End of This Lesson Students Will Be Able To

1. Understand the basic principles of bounce lighting in photography, likening the process to a game of pool with the flash as the cue ball, the surface as the side of the pool table, and the subject’s face as the target ball.
2. Appreciate the importance of choosing the right surface for bouncing light, understanding that smooth surfaces like mirrors will produce specular reflections, while rougher surfaces will create diffuse reflections.
3. Grasp the role of the angle of incidence, realizing that the direction of the flash impacts the angle at which light bounces off a surface and reaches the subject’s face.
4. Recognize the effect of flash zoom on the spread of light, and how adjusting it can change the quality of lighting on the subject’s face.
5. Recognize the importance of practice and experience in mastering bounce lighting, and the necessity of experimenting with various settings.
6. Understand the limitations of bounce lighting, particularly the risk of color casting from bouncing light off colored surfaces and the challenge of underexposure when dealing with high ceilings or large spaces.
7. Learn how to counteract color casting by opting for neutral-colored surfaces and counteract underexposure by increasing flash power or using additional lighting equipment.
8. Comprehend the usefulness of attachable bounce cards and diffusion domes in managing the limitations of bounce lighting.
9. Understand the function of bounce cards in redirecting light towards the ceiling or walls while allowing some light to reach the subject directly.
10. Learn how diffusion domes scatter light from the flash, creating softer, more even illumination, reducing harsh shadows and the chances of color casting.
11. Recognize that both attachable bounce cards and diffusion domes are essential tools that can help photographers overcome bounce lighting challenges and produce professional, visually appealing results.
12. Recognize the power and authenticity of natural light in wedding photography, particularly for outdoor ceremonies and bridal and groom preparations.
13. Understand that solely relying on natural light isn’t a lazy option, but requires strategic use of fill lights for enhancing image quality.
14. Appreciate the advantages of wide aperture lenses, often called “fast glass,” for run and gun wedding photography, which allows for maximum light intake and creates pleasing subject-background separation.
15. Acknowledge the limitations of natural light, which may not always be sufficient or consistent for well-exposed images, and the need for wide aperture lenses.
16. Understand the role of small fill lights in low-light conditions where natural light might be insufficient, ensuring balanced exposure and even lighting.
17. Appreciate the balance of natural light and fill light for maintaining an authentic, true-to-life representation of a scene while enhancing its visual appeal.
18. Recognize the value of minimal equipment for flexibility and mobility in photography, with the need for a portable fill light to enhance natural light when necessary.
19. Identify affordable lighting options, such as a 160-LED continuous light, as a handy fill light source for optimal illumination.
20. Be prepared to adapt to various lighting conditions and use additional lighting equipment when necessary, understanding that natural light is a starting point, not a complete solution.
21. Understand the importance of adaptability in wedding photography, using additional lighting tools to consistently achieve high-quality results in challenging lighting scenarios.
23. Recognize the power and authenticity of natural light in wedding photography, particularly for outdoor ceremonies and bridal and groom preparations.
24. Understand that solely relying on natural light isn’t a lazy option, but requires strategic use of fill lights for enhancing image quality.
25. Appreciate the advantages of wide aperture lenses, often called “fast glass,” for run and gun wedding photography, which allows for maximum light intake and creates pleasing subject-background separation.
26. Acknowledge the limitations of natural light, which may not always be sufficient or consistent for well-exposed images, and the need for wide aperture lenses.
27. Understand the role of small fill lights in low-light conditions where natural light might be insufficient, ensuring balanced exposure and even lighting.
28. Appreciate the balance of natural light and fill light for maintaining an authentic, true-to-life representation of a scene while enhancing its visual appeal.
29. Recognize the value of minimal equipment for flexibility and mobility in photography, with the need for a portable fill light to enhance natural light when necessary.
30. Identify affordable lighting options, such as a 160-LED continuous light, as a handy fill light source for optimal illumination.
31. Be prepared to adapt to various lighting conditions and use additional lighting equipment when necessary, understanding that natural light is a starting point, not a complete solution.
32. Understand the importance of adaptability in wedding photography, using additional lighting tools to consistently achieve high-quality results in challenging lighting scenarios.

Course Content

Wedding Lighting: On Camera Lighting- Benefits and Limitations

Bounce lighting in photography is one of the easiest run-and-gun lighting techniques to master, providing the best results once you understand the limits and techniques properly. By grasping the physics of light and the principles of reflection, you can control the direction and quality of bounced light to create visually appealing and well-lit photographs.

Think of your flash as the cue ball in a game of pool, the surface you’re bouncing the light off as the side of the pool table, and your subject’s face as the target ball. Your goal is to strike the cue ball (flash) in such a way that it bounces off the side (surface) and hits the target ball (subject’s face) at the correct angle to achieve the desired lighting effect.

1. Choose the right surface: Just as the pool table’s sides can be smooth or rough, the surfaces you bounce light off will have different reflective properties. Smooth surfaces like mirrors and glossy walls will produce specular reflections, while rough surfaces like textured walls and ceilings will create diffuse reflections. Choose the appropriate surface depending on the type of reflection you want to achieve.
2. Control the angle of incidence: In the game of pool, the angle at which you strike the cue ball determines the angle at which it will bounce off the side. Similarly, in bounce lighting, the angle at which you aim your flash will determine the angle at which the light bounces off the surface and reaches your subject’s face. Adjust the angle of your flash according to the law of reflection to ensure the light correctly falls on your subject’s face.
3. Adjust the zoom of your flash: The zoom of your flash affects the spread of light, just like how the force applied to the cue ball in pool affects its speed and trajectory. A wider zoom will result in a broader spread of light, while a narrower zoom will create a more focused beam. Experiment with different zoom settings to achieve the desired lighting effect on your subject’s face.
4. Practice and experience: Mastering bounce lighting requires practice and experience, just like improving your pool game. Experiment with different angles, surfaces, and flash settings, and analyze the results to learn what works best for your specific shooting environment and desired effect.

One significant limitation of bounce lighting is the potential for color casting on your subjects. When light bounces off a colored surface, such as a painted wall or ceiling, it takes on the color of that surface before reaching your subject. This can result in an unwanted color cast on your subject’s face, making the photograph appear unnatural or unflattering. To avoid color casting, it’s important to be mindful of the surfaces you use to bounce light. Whenever possible, opt for neutral-colored surfaces like white or light gray, as these will produce a more natural and true-to-life reflection without introducing unwanted hues.

Another challenge when working with bounce lighting is dealing with high ceilings or large, open spaces. When the distance between the flash and the surface it is bouncing off is too great, the light has to travel further, resulting in a loss of power and efficacy. This can lead to underexposed photographs, as the bounced light may not be strong enough to sufficiently illuminate your subject. To counteract this issue, you may need to increase the power of your flash or find alternative ways to light your subject, such as using a direct flash, off-camera lighting, or supplemental lighting equipment like a reflector or softbox. Additionally, understanding the inverse square law, which states that light intensity decreases proportionally to the square of the distance from the source, can help you make informed decisions when working with bounce lighting in challenging environments.

Two popular solutions for addressing the limitations of bounce lighting are attachable bounce cards and diffusion domes. Both of these accessories can be attached to your flash unit, allowing you to control and modify the light more effectively, and they can be particularly useful in situations with high ceilings, large spaces, or colored surfaces.

1. Attachable Bounce Cards:

Bounce cards are flat, usually rectangular, reflective surfaces that can be attached to the flash unit. They work by redirecting the light from the flash towards the ceiling or walls, but also allow a portion of the light to bounce directly towards the subject. This dual function helps to create a more even and soft light on the subject while still maintaining a natural look. Bounce cards come in various sizes and materials, with some featuring a white side for softer reflections and a silver side for more specular highlights. To use a bounce card effectively, you’ll want to angle your flash head towards the ceiling or wall and adjust the bounce card to direct the right amount of light towards your subject. Keep in mind that using a bounce card may require you to increase the power of your flash, as the card itself will absorb some light.

1. Diffusion Domes:

Diffusion domes, also known as diffusers or omni-bounce caps, are translucent, dome-shaped accessories that attach to the flash unit, covering the flash head. The purpose of a diffusion dome is to scatter the light emitted by the flash, creating a softer, more even illumination on the subject. This diffusion effect can help to eliminate harsh shadows and reduce the chances of color casting from nearby surfaces. The diffusion dome effectively turns the flash into a small, omnidirectional light source that emits light in all directions. When using a diffusion dome, you’ll want to consider the additional power requirements, as the dome will absorb some of the light output from your flash. Additionally, you may need to adjust your flash exposure compensation settings to ensure proper exposure.

Both attachable bounce cards and diffusion domes are valuable tools for photographers looking to overcome the challenges of bounce lighting. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each accessory, you can make informed decisions about which solution best suits your needs in a given situation, ultimately leading to more professional and visually appealing results.

Wedding Lighting: Understanding the Limits of Natural Light

Natural light is a powerful tool in the arsenal of any wedding photographer, especially when shooting outdoor ceremonies or capturing bright and airy bridal and groom preparations. When used effectively, natural light can produce stunning results that not only look beautiful but also feel authentic and true to the moment. However, it’s important to understand that relying solely on natural light should not be seen as a lazy go-to approach. More often than not, the addition of some small fill light on the couple can make a significant difference in the quality of the images captured.

Wide aperture lenses, which allow for the maximum amount of light to enter the camera, can be beneficial for run and gun wedding photography. These lenses, often referred to as “fast glass,” are characterized by their low f-numbers (such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8). While shooting with a wide aperture can achieve a shallow depth of field and create a pleasing separation between the subject and the background, it’s crucial to recognize that natural light may not always be sufficient or consistent enough to produce well-exposed images.

The use of natural light combined with wide aperture lenses offers several advantages for run and gun wedding photographers, but it’s essential to be aware of its limitations and the need for additional fill light in certain situations:

1. Low-light performance: While wide aperture lenses allow for more light to reach the camera sensor, enabling photographers to shoot in lower light conditions, there are instances where natural light might not be strong enough. In such cases, adding a small fill light on the couple can balance out the exposure and provide more even lighting across the scene.
2. Authenticity and atmosphere: Natural light often produces a more authentic and true-to-life representation of a scene compared to artificial light sources. However, a small fill light can help enhance the natural light and create a more flattering and well-lit result, without compromising the authenticity of the scene.
3. Minimizing setup time and equipment while maintaining adaptability: Relying on natural light and wide aperture lenses can help photographers minimize the amount of equipment they need to carry. However, it’s important to have a small, portable fill light at hand to ensure that you can quickly and efficiently enhance the natural light when needed. Even a budget-friendly 160-LED continuous light, held at an angle away from your camera by an assistant, can provide the extra illumination necessary to achieve optimal results.

Wedding photographers should be prepared to adapt to various lighting conditions and be ready to use additional lighting equipment when necessary. While natural light can be a fantastic starting point, a small fill light, like the 160-LED continuous light mentioned above, can offer the flexibility and adaptability needed to achieve high-quality results, especially in challenging lighting scenarios. By being adaptable and prepared to use additional lighting equipment when needed, wedding photographers can ensure they consistently achieve high-quality results in various lighting conditions.

Cognitive Engagement Questions

1. Assignment #1: High-Speed Sync Experimentation (Assignment Number: PHO2041-HSS)Subject: Application of High-Speed Sync (HSS) in Photography

   For this assignment, you’ll be experimenting with High-Speed Sync (HSS). Shoot a series of 5 photos in different lighting conditions, specifically situations that would traditionally lead to overexposure or hotspots. Use HSS to balance these hotspots and create well-exposed, balanced images. Write a brief explanation detailing how HSS influenced the overall composition of your images.

   Assignment #2: The Power of Wide Aperture (Assignment Number: PHO2041-APR)

   Subject: Understanding the Impact of Wide Aperture in Photography

   Create a set of 5 images using a low aperture (f/1.8 or f/2.8). The goal here is to create a shallow depth of field that effectively separates the subject from the background. This is a common technique in portrait and wedding photography. Explain how using a wide aperture contributed to the depth, dimension, and overall appeal of your photographs.

   Assignment #3: High-Speed Sync and Wide Aperture Combo (Assignment Number: PHO2041-HSSAPR)

   Subject: Utilizing HSS and Low Aperture in Tandem

   Take 5 photographs where you utilize both HSS and a wide aperture. These photos should demonstrate how these techniques can be combined to isolate subjects while still preserving the context of the environment. Reflect on the impact of these combined techniques on your photographic composition, focusing on how they helped you to create standout images capturing the essence of the moment.

   When submitting your assignments, please use the following format for the email subject: “Assignment Number – Your Name – Assignment Topic“. For example, “PHO2041-HSS – John Smith – Application of High-Speed Sync in Photography“. Please email your completed assignments and accompanying analyses to clintonali@gmail.com for evaluation and constructive feedback. Don’t forget to keep the original files of your images for your records. I’m excited to see your beautifully composed shots!