Exercises #1 “Basic Lighting Directions and Ratios”

 Part 1: Three Different Lighting Ratios (Contrast) 

Set up a light gray seamless on a table making a sweep as demonstrated during class. Using the Dynalite kit with only one medium size light box emphasize the form and shapes  by creating different qualities of light by controlling the lighting ratio of the scene. Use fill cards to attain the appropriate lighting ratio along with flags and negative fill to reduce exposure in specific areas of the scene. Every shot requires maximum sharpness front to back and top to bottom and make sure that the object is proportionally correct and that everything is in focus. 

Note: It is best if you work in teams but every student will turn in a set of jpeg files. 

With the light coming from either the right or left side and about 45˚ above the subject, create three images with three different lighting ratios:

1a. Good highlights with shadows that are dark and relatively sharp-edged.  The light quality should be dramatic, emphasizing shape and outline, but still giving some sense of depth. There should be no blown-out highlights along with some slight detail in the shadows.  The direction of the light should come from either the right or left side. (Low Key - 4:1)

1b. Shapes should have a longer transition from highlight to shadow with the shadow area having more detail and a greater sense of volume and depth than the first set-up. Now adjust the lighting to a lower ratio than 1a using a piece of foam-core. (Medium Key-3:1)

1c. Subject should still have good shape but the transition from highlight to shadow should be very subtle with good detail in the shadow area.  The lighting ratio should be even less than 2a.  (High Key- 2:1)

Examples: 

Part 2: Three Different Light Directions  

Photograph the same subject three times using a medium soft box light your subject from three different directions.  Use fill cards to create any type of lighting ratio you feel is appropriate. 2a. Lit from the Front; 2b Lit from the Side; 2c Lit from Back. Watch for lens flare! 

Examples: 

The following is due: Friday, TBD, before 5:00pm. 

1. Six JPEG files (1200 p at the longest edge, 125 res), three for each of the lighting ratios and three for each of the lighting directions, as per demo in class.  Images must me cropped and edited. 
2. Please label the files as follows:

           For Part A:  LastName_EX#1_PartA 
           For Part B:  LastName_EX#1_Part B

         Make sure they are in order : 

      4:1 is first, then 3:1, then 2:1 / Front lighting first, then Side Lighting, then Back Lighting 

      3. Place all files in to a folder label with your LastNameFirstName_ EX#1

      4. Upload that folder to our Google Drive Folder (Go to Google Drive Link) 

            Please note I have place an example in the EX#1 Folder. 

  

Please Note:  Exercises and Assignment will not be accepted if the folder and files are not label and sized correctly.