Useful lighting thread - link

Mahoneyd187

Mahoneyd187

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Danny
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This has probably been posted before, it's pretty old but useful.

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=96872

Fed up with people making blanket statements like "front on axis lighting is flat and never sculptures the face" and claiming to be an authority on the subject.

Research people's work that you really admire, there's information on them, behind the scenes footage, books on their techniques or similar techniques. Dig deep, don't be happy to learn about rembrandt lighting with a hair light on a one day "course" and leave it there, be experimental and create images rather than repeating generic snapshots.

This is only meant to encourage people, it's not flaming anybody.
 
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This is very valid and you have made me think about asking people how, then adapt for other different shoots.

Thanks.

PS. Love your site, stunning pictures.....you all should have a look.
 
That's the intention, knowledge of the characteristics of light is much more important than learning simple set ups, with decent understanding of the physics of light, people can decontruct lighting on photographs much easier and use it for their own application.

Threads like that just help when sometimes it's difficult to visualise the effects light might have, experience here is the key.

ps - thanks alot always nice to hear :)
 
Lencarta said:
Thanks for posting this Danny. Seems from my end ModelMayhem's server is down. Will take a look when it's back on. :thumbs:
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Hi Harry,

Same here I'm afraid. It's full of lighting diagrams, Garry will hate it lol
 
Thanks for reminding me about that thread Danny. I think I've dipped into it in the past, I'm guessing it's been updated a bit since then. I'll take a look when they're up again!
 
treeman said:
Thanks for reminding me about that thread Danny. I think I've dipped into it in the past, I'm guessing it's been updated a bit since then. I'll take a look when they're up again!
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Same here, since the beginning. I think it's on the 1600+ page now lol
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Hi Harry,

Same here I'm afraid. It's full of lighting diagrams, Garry will hate it lol
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IMO lighting diagram is a good way to learn, especially for beginners who find it difficult to work out how a shot is lit by just looking at it. I'm really impressed by the idea behind Strobox. Way to go! :)
 
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Front on axis means that the light is flat front onto the subject in an axis position. I totally agree that light on axis isn't always flat hence the way that the butterfly or paramount position is such a sculptural lighting position when done right. [Mod Edit: Removed]

No more personal insults thank you very much
 
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Ok...

Here's a word for word quote, from you, a provider of training, a so called authority.

"and when the keylight is on axis it results in totally flat facial light with no sculptural capability at all"

For anyone who cares, google image search "tyra banks ringlflash" and you'll see the famous shot from Matthew Jordan Smith, taken with one light, a ringflash, perfectly, 100% on the lens axis.

Now the trainers embarrassed himself again, let's continue with the ACTUAL thread shall we :) A thread intended for encouragement
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Hi Harry,

Same here I'm afraid. It's full of lighting diagrams, Garry will hate it lol
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:lol::lol::lol:
And I hate that overdone plastic retouching that's so prevalent on that site too, but it's a good thread and well worth a look
 
Lencarta said:
IMO lighting diagram is a good way to learn, especially for beginners who find it difficult to work out how a shot is lit by just looking at it. I'm really impressed by the idea behind Strobox. Way to go! :)
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That's because economists see everything in 2 dimensions, but fortunately photography is 3 dimensional:)

I do like your new avetar though - could you print off a couple of hundred for me, 110mm diameter? If I stick them on the clays I'll be shooting at over the weekend - having something to focus on helps the score a lot:lol:
 
I'd have not the faintest idea where to start with this type of photography :thinking: and at some time would like to try my hand with a basic set up....this makes really interesting reading :thumbs:
 
Glad to be of assistance. It's very useful to see what can be achieved with simple modifiers and lighting techniques, there are some great contributions on that thread :thumbs:
 
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