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03/06/2008 12:36:00 AM · #1 |
Hey friends. :)
I have had no formal training in photography, and I find myself really struggling with lighting. Anyone have any recommendations for books that are easy to learn from? Or classes to take (I've been seeing the NY Institute of Photography mentioned in some recent threads.
Anyone have any brilliant advice for me? (my current challenge entry is at a 3.93 3.91 now - my lowest ever!! I need help!
~Magen
**edited for a dropping score. ugh.
Message edited by author 2008-03-06 00:36:57.
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03/06/2008 12:54:23 AM · #2 |
You nmay want to check out
//www.strobist.blogspot.com/
Careful! It's addicting. Go through the Lighting 101 then 102 archives. There is tons of great stuff.
Message edited by author 2008-03-06 11:10:12. |
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03/06/2008 03:34:27 AM · #3 |
| My best advice is to start off using one light and grow from there. This could be a softbox, a window, open doorway, etc. Put your subject in front of the light source and move it and yourself around to see how the light changes just based on your position. This should help you see exactly what the light is doing one small step at a time. |
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03/06/2008 04:40:43 AM · #4 |
my advice would be to try everything you can think of- move the lights, bounce them, uplight, downlight, harden, soften and whatever else and eventually you'll find your style. Get your equipment, and use it every chance you get.
I have 3 flashes, 3 stands, 2 umbrellas and an omnibounce and my stuff cost no more than $450 brand new. If I went used, this would be about $300. |
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03/06/2008 09:41:27 AM · #5 |
Thank you for the replies so far.
Some really good info there you guys, thanks. :)
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03/06/2008 09:47:49 AM · #6 |
I think we should start a thread here so everyone can share their lighting techniques and maybe post diagrams to help people that are trying to learn.
I have a model coming by in a few weeks and I want to practice my lighting.
Message edited by author 2008-03-06 09:53:24.
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03/06/2008 09:49:49 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by rex:
I thinkwe should styart a thread here so everyone can share their lighting techniques and maybe post diagrams to help people that are trying to learn.
I have a model coming by in a few weeks and I want to practice my lighting. |
LOVE THAT IDEA,  rex!!!
I'll let you start it. :)
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03/06/2008 09:50:22 AM · #8 |
| the best person to practice on is yourself because they're always available. |
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03/06/2008 09:56:50 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by rex:
I think we should start a thread here so everyone can share their lighting techniques and maybe post diagrams to help people that are trying to learn.
I have a model coming by in a few weeks and I want to practice my lighting. |
My contributions
Lighting Resources:
Strobist
Light Schemes
Lighting Setup Tutorial
DPC threads on studio lighting |
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03/06/2008 10:01:47 AM · #10 |
I see you have used light effectively in your top seven high-scoring photos, so you do have some good techniques.
For long exposures of inanimate objects you can just wave a flashlight back and forth over the subject. Metatate did that recently in "Brown meets Blue (see long exposure challenge image 209997)"
I'm thinking of buying some mono-light strobes that have a modeling lamp. I just don't like not see a preview of the results before the flash goes off. I guess that's the price you pay for the portability of SB-800's. I'm still learning about setting up Un-natural lightinh scenes.
I guess after many trials you have memorize (or write down) what works to create the results you want. It seems Bounced or reflected light, being less harsh, must be pleasing to many. |
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03/06/2008 10:12:19 AM · #11 |
I have seen your post. I am referring to the fact that we need one thread to go to and learn all about lighting. Also your DPC search for lighting threads pulls up stuff that has nothing to do with studio lighting.
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03/06/2008 10:19:07 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by rex:
Also your DPC search for lighting threads pulls up stuff that has nothing to do with studio lighting. |
I know. We really need sticky threads around here. Studio Lighting is one of the most asked questions. Google site search gives better results in the case of "studio lighting."
Message edited by author 2008-03-06 10:19:19. |
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03/06/2008 10:22:04 AM · #13 |
Are we looking at studio lighting or exposure? I know starting out, I became very confused with the two. You may want to actually look into books about exposure which will give you more information than studio lighting. Studio lighting normally gives you information on how to use the lights and what equipment, not necessary what light does to your photos.
Tomorrow I can list for you the number of books that I got on exposure that has truly helped my photography out. |
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03/06/2008 10:26:36 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by albc28:
Are we looking at studio lighting or exposure? I know starting out, I became very confused with the two. You may want to actually look into books about exposure which will give you more information than studio lighting. Studio lighting normally gives you information on how to use the lights and what equipment, not necessary what light does to your photos.
Tomorrow I can list for you the number of books that I got on exposure that has truly helped my photography out. |
I am interested in learning about exposure, flash, natural, studio, etc. :) The more help, the better. I would love to get the list of books that helped you out. Thank you. :)
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03/06/2008 10:28:20 AM · #15 |
I suppose I'm going to be very unpopular for this comment, but I think its important to say it.
How do I use my studio lights??
There is no "answer" to this question.
How you use your lights depends on the results you want to acheive. The best way to learn how your lights can create different effects is to practice, practice and practice some more. If you aren't using your lights almost every day, you will not learn what you want to know.
Reading one forum thread and expecting to walk away a pro shooter is at best over-ambitious and at worst could leave you with poor advice that you think is good advice because you haven't looked at the numerous other opinions on the subject and then practiced those techniques for yourself.
Would you expect to read a forum thread and walk away a good parent, or an olympic swimmer? Its no different expecting one thread to give you all the answers to studio lighting.
Several of the people posting in this thread were active in the Portrait Lighting thread I started almost TWO YEARS AGO. That thread included diagrams and a ton of information, but even that was just a drop in the bucket. I'm guessing those people have not practiced what they learned there or they wouldn't be asking the same questions again now.
I don't mean to offend, I just think a reality check is necessary here.
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03/06/2008 10:32:49 AM · #16 |
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03/06/2008 10:39:17 AM · #17 |
...
Message edited by author 2008-03-07 10:53:23. |
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03/06/2008 10:44:48 AM · #18 |
what you just said = reverse engineering.
In the words of Strobist (paraphrased): everyone does this all the time anyway. Whenever you look at something you can tell where the light is coming from. Likewise, we can visualise what something would look like if the light were coming from a given angle. If you can previsualise the effects that light would have your halfway there already. |
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03/06/2008 10:47:22 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by idnic:
I suppose I'm going to be very unpopular for this comment, but I think its important to say it.
How do I use my studio lights??
There is no "answer" to this question.
How you use your lights depends on the results you want to acheive. The best way to learn how your lights can create different effects is to practice, practice and practice some more. If you aren't using your lights almost every day, you will not learn what you want to know.
Reading one forum thread and expecting to walk away a pro shooter is at best over-ambitious and at worst could leave you with poor advice that you think is good advice because you haven't looked at the numerous other opinions on the subject and then practiced those techniques for yourself.
Would you expect to read a forum thread and walk away a good parent, or an olympic swimmer? Its no different expecting one thread to give you all the answers to studio lighting.
Several of the people posting in this thread were active in the Portrait Lighting thread I started almost TWO YEARS AGO. That thread included diagrams and a ton of information, but even that was just a drop in the bucket. I'm guessing those people have not practiced what they learned there or they wouldn't be asking the same questions again now.
I don't mean to offend, I just think a reality check is necessary here. |
Cindi I I used to like that thread....I'm thinking you should REVIVE it....AGAIN!! |
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03/06/2008 11:14:47 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by idnic:
I suppose I'm going to be very unpopular for this comment, but I think its important to say it.
How do I use my studio lights??
There is no "answer" to this question.
How you use your lights depends on the results you want to acheive. The best way to learn how your lights can create different effects is to practice, practice and practice some more. If you aren't using your lights almost every day, you will not learn what you want to know.
Reading one forum thread and expecting to walk away a pro shooter is at best over-ambitious and at worst could leave you with poor advice that you think is good advice because you haven't looked at the numerous other opinions on the subject and then practiced those techniques for yourself.
Would you expect to read a forum thread and walk away a good parent, or an olympic swimmer? Its no different expecting one thread to give you all the answers to studio lighting.
Several of the people posting in this thread were active in the Portrait Lighting thread I started almost TWO YEARS AGO. That thread included diagrams and a ton of information, but even that was just a drop in the bucket. I'm guessing those people have not practiced what they learned there or they wouldn't be asking the same questions again now.
I don't mean to offend, I just think a reality check is necessary here. |
THank you for the post, Cindi. Everything you say is very true. When I started this thread, I was just asking for recommendations for books or classes to take on lighting because I feel like there is a lot I need to learn. I have been practicing, and not getting results I want, so I feel like maybe there is something I am missing. Maybe I should have gone over your old thread before asking the question. But, originally, I wasn't asking for someone to tell me how to be a pro at lighting, I was just asking for something to read up on. There was no offense taken from your post, and I appreciate your input. I just feel like I wanted to clarify my original post.
~Magen
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03/06/2008 11:22:34 AM · #21 |
First of all, you have to realize that lighting is as basic, or as dynamic as you want it to be.
In other words, there is no correct way to light your subject, however, there are plenty of wrong ways.
Here is a threadon
studies available.
Here is a threadon
workshops available.
Single point, duel point, and three point lighting (Key light, Back light, and Fill light) are your basics. Anything more, then you have entered into a realm of dynamic depth of field, and dynamic detailing of the image. Hope you have a lot of money when at this level.
Simple enough, watch a black and white movie. Hell, watch any movie,look at other photographers work, think about how it was lit. Try to mimic.
But, remember this, just because one photographer puts his Key light on a 45 degree angle does not mean that you should do the same.
Experiment with the light. Decide what you like, make mistakes and try again. No one is counting your blunders but you.
Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.
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03/06/2008 11:23:51 AM · #22 |
| practice practice practice. don't be afraid to mess up. Practice on yourself first before you take it into the real world- it'll save time and money and make you look like you know what you're doing. |
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03/06/2008 11:49:32 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by magenmarie:
THank you for the post, Cindi. Everything you say is very true. When I started this thread, I was just asking for recommendations for books or classes to take on lighting because I feel like there is a lot I need to learn. I have been practicing, and not getting results I want, so I feel like maybe there is something I am missing. Maybe I should have gone over your old thread before asking the question. But, originally, I wasn't asking for someone to tell me how to be a pro at lighting, I was just asking for something to read up on. There was no offense taken from your post, and I appreciate your input. I just feel like I wanted to clarify my original post.
~Magen |
I understand your original intent, Magen. I wasn't responding directly to you, but more to a general vibe I've been seeing around DPC. It seems too many expect a quick fix when the reality is that doing anything well takes work. I know you get that.
As for books - there are a zillion out there. Many photographers have figured out that they can make more money selling books than pictures so everyone seems to have one.
I used to spend hours in Borders book stores and the library, sitting in the floor and looking through every photography-related book they have. I only bought the ones that REALLY had some info in them that I thought would help me. Its a place to start.....
Edit to add: The most important part.... the books will do no good if you don't practice what you learn. :)
Message edited by author 2008-03-06 11:52:27.
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03/06/2008 11:53:35 AM · #24 |
the best book I have is by a company called Rotovision (i think) called 'provocative shots'. Every photo (some 80 or so) gets a double page spread- on the right is the picture, on the left is a lighting diagram with camera settings and the reasons behind it. It's a very informative little book.
They do a whole range of stuff for portraits, food shots, product shots, fashion etc and I found them a great help as they don't waste time on the theories like the 'inverse square rule' or whatever else, it just presents it in a way that basically says "if you do this, this will happen, if you do this, this thing will happen too."
Well worth the £12 it cost me from ebay. |
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03/07/2008 09:16:35 AM · #25 |
Here are some of the books the i brought...not all specific to lighting.
Exposure by Chris Weston - useful but not amazing
Exposure and Lighting by Meadhra Lowrie
Mastering Digital Photography
Professional Model Portfolios
Beyond Portraits
The last two has some ideas in it about portrait lighting and some about lighting for models portfolios. And of course mastering digital photography is just an overview of photography itself and learning to work with your camera. |
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