Axis lighting

[mattchewone]

I have seen this phrase thrown around and am a little unsure what it means and would really appreciate some help understanding and what the results are from using on or off axis lighting. When and why you'd use either and if there are diagrams or photos explaining too would be extremely helpful.

Thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

True on-axis lighting is a ringflash, which surrounds the lens.

Most people use the phrase on-axis to describe light that is on the axis of the lens but either above or below it (usually above as it is much more flattering than below)

Off axis lighting is lighting which is off to the side to some extent.

Your choice of where to put light in terms of axis or height determines where the shadows fall, there are no automatic rights or wrongs

 

[mike weeks]

What you cant do is move the camera in relation to the axis light as was described earlier today. What Garry has not mentioned is that often you will have off axis main lighting with on axis fill (one way of working), however clam shell lighting could be described as 1 high and 1 low on axis lights.
Mike

 

[Mahoneyd187]

Absolute on axis is a ringflash.

On camera flash, camera mounted speedlights, beauty dishes above camera are all technically aligned to the vertical axis, depending on what context this is used, it can be refered to as "on axis"

Moving the light around left or right of straight on, would be moving the light off axis.

I.e typical (read boring) portrait lighting would see the main light 45deg to the left or right, and up high enough to point approx 45deg down

 

[Mahoneyd187]

Sorry guys, missed your posts...yeah...what they said ^^