srt101fan

Some newcomers might be overwhelmed thinking that artificial lighting always requires an array of strobes, reflectors soft boxes, etc. Got me to thinking what you can do with a single light source and how you would go about tackling that. I'm thinking about candlelight and single light fixtures and the like, but if you want to throw in window light, that's fine. Anyone want to comment and post examples? I'm thinking (and hoping) that those on the lower rungs of the learning ladder (and others!) might find this an interesting topic of discussion. (I certainly would! )

[Edit: rmalarz has a topic that sort of fits in with what I'm thinking of - https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-730945-1.html#12969725]

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Kinda long story to follow:

When I "came back to the word" from the army, I took my GI Bill $$ and immediately enrolled in a series of courses at the Winnona School of Professiona Photography (The educational arm of the P.P.of A). I needed a refresher course in portraiture and a few other areas. The courses were offered by well-respected working masters in their fields.

My first week was spent in the basic profession portraiture course. The instructor was John Howell, known for his elegant high-key bridal portraiture and more. The man had no less than 12 lights in play, however, the "trick" or goal was to maintain UNITY OF LIGHTING so only the main direction of light wis apparent and all the other lights were subordinate. Believe me, that was a heck of a job with 12 lights- getting them to look like one?!

The second week was called "AdvanceProfessional Portraiture" and there was a top guy from Kodak- his name escapes me- let's call him the "Umbrell Man" His work was equally lovely as the first guy's but he use no more than two umbrella-equipped lights. Different strokes for different folks? I rationalized!

The next week was called "New Trends in Professional Portaoture" and this fellow professed that the other guys were all crazy and reinforced his theory with incredibly excellent work, mostly with natural light. If the wheater was bad and after dark, he used a single softbox and a reflector. He theorized that if you only want to see one direction of light in an image, just use one light!

Now! I thought I was lucky not to have suffered from PTSD from my 2-year vacation in Vietnam but after a month in photography school, I was going nuts. I thought back to my first boss and mentor who called me a "gear-head" before that term was invented. and drilled it into my adolescent skull that "if you know your lighting, you can create a masterpiece with a candle and if you have dozens of lights but no concept of lighting aesthetics and technique, all you will have is a big electric bill"!

All one needs to do is scan the pages of this forum and one will soon gather that many folks here are totally preoccupied with gear. Equipment upgrading is nice, it's fun and sometimes necessary but in many cases, it ain't the key to one's improvement or upgrading in thir photography. So many folks say "my pictures are not up to snuff, should I change my camera, lens, lighting gear, etc.- what shod I buy"! I don't wanna be harsh, so I restrain myself and don't advise that they read a book, take a class, study up, practice and improve their technique and save their money and KEEP IT SIMPLE.

If some want to set up an elaborate studio kinda thing, that is a great project and I will encourage them to do that as long as they realize that technical and artistic know-how is still a prerequisite to success. If some folks want to work in a very minimalist fashion, that is good too- that's even more fun and challenging. Sometimes all you need is a north-lighted window and a sheet of aluminum foil. With your digital camera and adjustable white balance, just about any ligt source will suffice.

You do not need to make a substantial investment in equipment to SEE, control. utilize and learn photograhic lighting! You eyes, brain, heart and resourcefulness are free!

Wasabi

Was messing around one day with a small vase on the table, just playing with it in my hand. Barbara had a bouquet with some roses. We cut a rose put it in water in the vase and started taking photos. We added a few more props, turned down the lights,found an led flashlight and kept shooting. The attached is apparently the best of the lot as it is the only one I could find. (need to work on my Lightroom skills)

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Very good idea. Natural and artificial light can be extremely efficient and appropriate for many photos. I think I may have a few somewhere as examples, but don't quote me on that. I'll look for them.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I think this is gonna be a great thread. I'm loving it already!!!

srt101fan

Always love your stories, Ed, and of course your expert commentary!

srt101fan

Striking image and a pleasure to view. A good example of what's possible. Too bad the other shots are gone; might have been educational for some to see the variations.

srt101fan

Hope you can find them! I might have some too in my pile of black & white film that's patiently waiting to be scanned. Trouble is, they're so old that I forgot the lighting setup!

srt101fan

Yeah, hoping we can have some fun! Maybe Ed Shapiro can even give is some "assignments"!?....🤔

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

You done did a little masterpiece! Good work. The kinda side/backlighting gave dimension to the rose and TRANSILLUMINTED the glass and the liquid. That's a double-play base it- yoy lighted the flower and the glass effectively!

Post-processing. If the lighting is right you don't need much- All I did was kill a little hotspot on the glass and add a touch of shadow detail to the leaves by dodding.

Y'all folks get some inexpensive LED flashlights and have at it.

Wasabi

Thanks EL, those are very encouraging words.

Wasabi

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Good topic.

This one was shot using a single Duracell LED bulb on a cheap Ace hardware metal reflector with a single ply paper towel diffuser, and white polystyrene sheets to bounce light up from below.

Basswood bud on Flickr

Horseart Loc: Alabama

Nice work!

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Thanks. It is a very simple set up. You can do a lot with reflectors and diffusion.

(I was afraid that if I posted a hot-linked image it would get duplicated if people used the quote fiction to reply. Maybe E.L. can remove it.)

srt101fan

Wow! Hard for me to imagine how the lighting for this shot could have been improved with more sophisticated gear. Can you please elaborate on what you mean by an "ACE hardware metal reflector"? Actually, I would also be interested in more detail on the location of the lamp and how you supported the subject. I've tried some simple "table-top" photography but not very successfully!