TIP & TRICKS FOR BETTER CLICKS

Issue #12

In the last issue #11 we talked about candid photography and how to get

great shots. In this issue we are going to go over some great lighting

tips for beautiful photographs.

 

Photography is art. Individuals will spend hours in museums and

galleries analyzing a person’s photographs for the meaning. Like

painting photographs have a message, sometimes it will evoke

sadness, happiness, a carefree attitude, and thought. There are many

techniques a budding photographer will learn to evoke the emotions

they desire.  One such technique is using artificial lighting. Artificial

lighting isn't always as fun and easy as sunlight, but you can use it to

create some wonderful photographs once you know how.

 

Indoor lighting is often fluorescent and tungsten bulbs. Tungsten bulbs

are used by professional photographers, as “hot lights” because of the

high temperature they produce.  In photography it is important to

understand the temperature scale in relation to the colors they will

produce. A hot light will produce more red and reduce the blue.

Firelight and candle light though not artificial can be used in doors to

create shadows and depth.

 

When using indoor lights, specifically artificial light you will need to

understand exposure. When you have less light it will take longer to

expose the film to capture a photograph. Part of exposure is the angle.

Let’s talk about taking pictures in a museum. For instance I was in a

museum with minerals behind glass and a woman made the statement

if she took the picture nothing would come from it. This isn't true.  First

in a darker room where you have direct light on the object you will not

want to use the flash.  The flash will bounce the light back at the picture.

 

The next step is to get as close to the glass as possible.  The third

consideration is the angle. Taking the picture head on of the object will

bounce the light and shadows about.  You will need to angle the camera

to the side or up from the ground to attain the photograph.  If you do not

have glass in the way the angle will still be important, especially when

taking portraits.  Shooting any subject head on is likely to create

shadows and take away from the print.  The best angle for shooting

portraits is often up into the face.

 

When shooting faces or other objects you usually want a three

dimensional contrast.  You will need to search for the planes and

contours of the subject, especially in portrait photography.  The planes

and contours will help you determine the angle you will shoot the subject

from.  The shadows will often provide the three dimensional contrast if

you find the correct planes and angle to shoot from. This helps with

pictures that you want to stand-alone.

 

Artificial lighting needs to be moveable.  Just turning on your home

lights will not give you the desired effect.  Instead it can wash out the

subject, place the light at the wrong angle, or create too much shadow

in one area.  You need to have lights set up on tripods to change the

angle to suit your needs.  Rooms are small, which is one reason over

head lights can either be too powerful or not direct enough.

 

Following lighting tips will increase your photography skills. Most

amateur photographers find taking a class on lighting and having a few

books on the subject will help them learn proper lighting techniques.

The reason for classes is to provide feedback. You may be happy with

the shot, but suggestions can help you make the shot perfect in the

future.

 

Artificial lighting has advantages over outdoor or natural lighting, but

sometimes the picture turns out better with natural light. It might be a

matter of preference or the desire of a client or subject for that matter.

You never have artificial lighting outside for the most part; you usually

rely on your camera flash to help with the picture quality. When you

choose your lighting, look for the best lighting situation to enhance your

subject and make your picture as natural as possible.