"live" light vs PS. the great masters

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

12/15/2006 03:40:49 PM · #1

hello!

I've got a book, actually two books, called low key and high key photography. there are many nice pictures there.

I've also got photoshop. there are many nice filters and actions there.

I haven't got yet :) and probably will never get some great old masters' works: Leonardo, Boticelli, Monet...

I am very much into light and lighting. and I try to study and love it everywhere.

my books say: prepare everything BEFORE you shoot because no matter how good you edit after it will never be the same as good use of lighting "live".

my PS says: here is an action called high key, if you use it it will look exactly like a well done high key photo with little effort.

and I tried both and they both seem to be right. or not? is there really any difference?

and the masters. they didn't have anything! and almost all of them are known for their "perfect use of light". how did they do that?

I would like this thread to be not so much about how to set up lighting in a studio but more about analysing.

I would really appreciate your replies! it would be great to learn more about it all.

Svetlana

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

12/15/2006 03:45:19 PM · #2

Originally posted by silverfoxx:

and the masters. they didn't have anything! and almost all of them are known for their "perfect use of light". how did they do that?

The "old masters" had the ultimate "photoshop"; everything they did was according to their mind's eye, and accomplished with tools, not reality. A painter can do whatever he wants with the light. It's interesting to note, for example, that what we are doing with HDRI imaging and tone mapping these days in many cases closely approximates the sense of light/shadow values captured by some of the masters.

R.

12/15/2006 03:52:52 PM · #3

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

this is strange, isn't it? I always thought the more modern "technology" always win.
but they had only hands and we have hands, cameras, AND ps! this is amazing. sorry for my late "revelation":) but all this makes me think differently and it's nice.
could someone please recommend something to read about it all? I'm doing some reseach, too, but it would be great to get some more information.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/15/2006 03:56:15 PM · #4

I'd recommend Janson's History of Art: Western Tradition (7th Edition) but it is a little bit pricey. It's on my Amazon wishlist if anyone wants to get me a Christmas present, too.

12/15/2006 04:00:11 PM · #5

Originally posted by Gordon:

I'd recommend Janson's History of Art: Western Tradition (7th Edition) but it is a little bit pricey. It's on my Amazon wishlist if anyone wants to get me a Christmas present, too.

hmm, it's on my wishlist now too:) let's give fantastic christmas presents to each other?:)

but is it about lighting? I have read a bit about history of art, but I would love to know more about the light.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

12/15/2006 04:01:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by silverfoxx:

but is it about lighting? I have read a bit about history of art, but I would love to know more about the light.

I'm tempted to say it is all about the light.