What's the Different in Direct and Indirect Lighting?
With two categories of lighting possible in photography, it's helpful to know the differences. Although each has its own function, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you in setting up your lighting. Knowing how each type can help you is essential.
Direct lighting, of course, shines or points directly to your subject or surface. While this at times, can be too strong and even have a strong hue that is anything but white, it can nevertheless give you the amount of light you might need. Indirect lighting, instead tends to be much softer and have less hue, but it can often be difficult to control in the way you would like.
Often, the purpose of studio photography is to transform direct into indirect lighting. Photographers often use reflectors to make this happen, which are much less expensive than lamps, dishes, or other reflective gadgets. Still, direct lighting turns into indirect with very little expense, as you will see.
Amazingly, you can use a single sheet of paper towel to place over your flash. As long as it is not too close to the bulb (and goes up in flames), it can effectively disperse the light in many directions. Although a reflector can be used as well, this inexpensive option may surprise you in its simplicity.
How to Use Lighting
Because both direct and indirect lighting have value in the world of photography, it's important to know how to use each to accomplish your goals. With different purposes for each, you can emphasize texture and shadows with direct lighting, or simply create the feeling you want by using indirect lighting.
Once you know the angle from which the light originates, you'll be better able to control it. By knowing this, you'll be able to effectively use (or get rid of) shadows. Even on overcast days, you'll find that attention to the angle of lighting will help you avoid photos that have strong backlighting. When your subject is not directly in your lighting, then you have the chance to shoot from any angle you choose.
How to Have Fun with Lighting
Next, comes some of the fun you can have with lighting. By setting a long enough exposure time (with the start and release help of the self-timer), you can virtually draw out your own message for the world to see. Begin by moving in front of the camera to draw and finish by holding the torch steady, turning off the camera with a remote or allowing the timer to expire, and then moving out of the frame.
Once you've checked your image, you can adjust your shutter speed to give you the best results. Wearing black can be a great way to remain undetected as you move through your scene. In this way, your message will remain the main focus and you can even liven up your message by adding gels or wraps over the torch to add a little variety of color.
With two categories of lighting possible in photography, it's helpful to know the differences. Although each has its own function, knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you in setting up your lighting. Knowing how each type can help you is essential.
Direct lighting, of course, shines or points directly to your subject or surface. While this at times, can be too strong and even have a strong hue that is anything but white, it can nevertheless give you the amount of light you might need. Indirect lighting, instead tends to be much softer and have less hue, but it can often be difficult to control in the way you would like.
Often, the purpose of studio photography is to transform direct into indirect lighting. Photographers often use reflectors to make this happen, which are much less expensive than lamps, dishes, or other reflective gadgets. Still, direct lighting turns into indirect with very little expense, as you will see.
Amazingly, you can use a single sheet of paper towel to place over your flash. As long as it is not too close to the bulb (and goes up in flames), it can effectively disperse the light in many directions. Although a reflector can be used as well, this inexpensive option may surprise you in its simplicity.
How to Use Lighting
Because both direct and indirect lighting have value in the world of photography, it's important to know how to use each to accomplish your goals. With different purposes for each, you can emphasize texture and shadows with direct lighting, or simply create the feeling you want by using indirect lighting.
Once you know the angle from which the light originates, you'll be better able to control it. By knowing this, you'll be able to effectively use (or get rid of) shadows. Even on overcast days, you'll find that attention to the angle of lighting will help you avoid photos that have strong backlighting. When your subject is not directly in your lighting, then you have the chance to shoot from any angle you choose.
How to Have Fun with Lighting
Next, comes some of the fun you can have with lighting. By setting a long enough exposure time (with the start and release help of the self-timer), you can virtually draw out your own message for the world to see. Begin by moving in front of the camera to draw and finish by holding the torch steady, turning off the camera with a remote or allowing the timer to expire, and then moving out of the frame.
Once you've checked your image, you can adjust your shutter speed to give you the best results. Wearing black can be a great way to remain undetected as you move through your scene. In this way, your message will remain the main focus and you can even liven up your message by adding gels or wraps over the torch to add a little variety of color.
About the Author:
No comments:
Post a Comment