Lightning Lesson
Digital Imagery & Film
Exposure
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The balance of the amount of light
allowed entering the photographic
medium
There are 3 elements used to create
the desired exposure
ISO
Aperture
Shutter Speed
ISO
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ISO is the measure of the digital censors light
sensitivity.
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Goes from 50 – 3200
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The lower the number, the more light it
needs, therefore the slower the picture is. So
the low ISO numbers are known as slow
ISO’s.
Digital Censor
ISO
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The larger the number, the less light it needs,
the quicker the camera can take pictures. The
higher ISO’s should be used if filming action
shots or shots in the dark to avoid blurring.
The high ISO numbers are known as fast
ISO’s
However, the lower the number, the higher
quality the picture will turn out. Another thing
that can be done to avoid blurring is using a
tripod.
Aperture
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The aperture controls the amount of light
that passes through the lens
The wider your aperture the more light
that will be allowed to strike the film or
digital sensor.
The larger the F-Stop number the larger
the opening and more light will come
through
The Smaller the F-Stop number the
smaller the opening and the less light will
come through
Aperture Cont.
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The diameter of the lens diaphragm can
be changed by turning the aperture
ring. This dictates the brightness of the
image reaching the film. Moving to the
next F-number either halves or doubles
aperture size.
Aperture size also affects depth of field.
Aperture Diagrams
Shutter Speed
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The shutter speed is useful when you want to freeze action or
produce motion blur, with depth of field being less important.
The longer the shutter remains open the longer the camera’s
sensor is exposed to the light. This will lead your picture to be
more accurate when reproduced – if everything in the frame
stays still. In low light situations it is better to use a long
exposure.
To capture objects in motion with little image blur it is better to
use a fast exposure.
Colour Temperature
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Cameras see color temperature
differently from people
Color of light is measured in Kelvin
5500K is white
higher temperatures are blue and other
cold colours
lower temperatures are red, yellow, or
orange
White Balance
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Function on the camera that makes sure that the colors the
camera sees are the same colours that you see.
There are many options in the white balance menu that can be
chosen from, such as daylight, cloudy, tungsten, as well as auto
white balance. Even though auto seems like a good and safe
bet, it will not always give the desired effect.
Flash must always be put into consideration because it brings a
cooler colour into the picture. If the white balance is not set for
the flash, skin tones and other features could be off.
Contrast
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Cameras do not have a very large contrast
range. If some shadows in a picture are really
dark, and some areas really bright, the two
will never come out perfect no matter how
good your camera is.
If the contrast focuses on the sunlight, the
dark areas will become totally black, and if
the contrast focuses on the darker areas, the
light will look too bright.
Types of Light
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Ambient Light: the available natural light
completely surrounding a subject.
Ambient Light already existing in an indoor
or outdoor setting that is not caused by any
illumination supplied by the photographer i.e.
not by artificial light source.
Types of Light
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Artificial Light: Light from a man-made
source, usually restricted to studio photo
lamp and domestic lighting.
Types of Light
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Artificial Light: Light from a man-made
source, usually restricted to studio photo
lamp and domestic lighting.
Diffused Light: Light from clouds (overcast
day), or light redirected and filtered.
Types of Light
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Hard Light: The smaller and further away a
light source is, the ‘harder’ it appears. Ex.
Sun or light bulbs.
Hard Light: usually gives the impression
that the photo was taken in broad daylight.
Hard light is good for bringing drama and
strength to an image. It works best with a
high contrast and bold colours because it
really accentuates them.
HardLight
Types of Light
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Soft Light: occurs when a light source is
diffused or “softened” such as clouds
covering the sun or a lampshade over a lamp.
Soft light is usually better for photographing
people and cause less intense shadows.
Soft Light
Soft Light
The Key Light
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Main light (key, sun light).
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Sun is a hard light source.
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It creates sharply defined
shadows. It also show texture. It is very
bright.
It is more directional than soft light
The Fill Light
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Sunlight filtered through
clouds is a soft light source.
It fills in most shadow areas.
It is a cosmetic light. It is ½ as bright as the
key.
It is not directional (difficult to aim).
The Back Light
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Behind the subject.
The backlight pushes the talent off the
background.
It is as bright as the key.
It is directional, giving the performers a sort
of “halo”.
Three Point Lighting
Three Point Lighting
Equipment and Lighting
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Flash - Flash can be used to lighten up dark
places to avoid too much contrast. Flash is
usually a heavy light source. If the flash is
pointed upward to the ceiling, you can
simulate a lampshade effect, and it makes it
seem as if it is natural lighting and it softens
the light.
Tripods – Are important to keep the camera
steady when taking photos in dark places, or
with lower shutter speeds to avoid unwanted
blur.
Equipment and Lighting
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Light Meter - A light meter is a device
used to measure the amount of light.
In photography and cinematography, a light
meter is often used to determine the
proper exposure for a photograph.
Determines which shutter speed and
f-number should be selected for an optimum
exposure, certain lighting situation and film.
Equipment and Lighting
Light Creates Mood
Be Creative