Lighting- Whadaya know? (Page 2): Mr. Shapiro, maybe for a start by discussing broad/short lighting, hard & soft light, Rembrandt, Loop, Split & Paramount and how they can be applied...

Haydon

Mr. Shapiro, maybe for a start by discussing broad/short lighting, hard & soft light, Rembrandt, Loop, Split & Paramount and how they can be applied artistically for portrait work, that is, if the majority are interested in that application.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

In this forum, thereis some discussion about lighting equipment, some discussions about the physics of light as per colour temperature and white balance, and the quantity of light as per exposure but little about the dynamics and aesthetics of light.

No doubt, the science of light is interesting, things like photons, wavelengths and spectral properties, but if you are an artistically inclined photograher there is much to discuss as to how some of the physical properties of light as to the quality, reflection, concentration, diffusion, and direction of light influence the aesthetics of our work.

Some folks associate "lighting" with controlled studio work as opposed to natural, existing, or available light. The fact is, however, if you have a good working knowledge of controlled studio-like lighting methods, you will more easily recognize and effectively utilize natural or exiting light. Inversely, if you have a knack for "SEEING" natural ligh, you will be better equipped to simulate various kinds of light in a studio environment.

In some people, "seeing" the aesthetics of light, havig an "eye" for light is an inborn talent like havig and "ear" for music, however, these traits need to be developed and can much be learned.

No matter what you shoot, landscapes, birds, wildlife, flowers, insects, sports, portraits, architecture, whatever, mostly you are attempting to render a three-dimension subject on a two-dimensional sheet of paper or a flat screen. The degree of success in that area is mainly dependent on lighting. You can have the sharpest lenses, the most advanced camera with incredibly high pixel counts, and the most sophisticated lighting gear, if the aesthetics of light are not factored into your work, your images will be flat, lacklustre, and lack modelling, depth, mood, and the illusion of dimensionality.

My question here is not only "what do you know about light and lighting"? but what do you want to know, learn, share, and discuss about this topic? I know that many of the specialized volunteer-managed sections are not very popular or highly trafficked on UHH, however, do any of you feel that a LIGHTING would be an asset or a popular resource.

I have noticed many questions about various kinds of lighting gear. There are discussions of price, features, and equipmet compatibility but hardly anything about aesthetics. Folk ask should I buy umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, etc. If they knew specifically how they work, differ, and how they can be used most effectively, they would be in a better position to decide on the right gear for the job at hand.

I would appreciate y'all's feedback! EnLIGHTEN me!

In this forum, thereis some discussion about light... (show quote)

Photography literally means, Painting with Light. Or, as I like to say, light is a medium that you can use to your advantage, in the image below I shot in very early morning light and waited until the Least Bittern flew into a spotlight of light coming in through a tree, when the Least Bittern flew into that spot light, I opened up on him. Exposure was pre based on the spot light, not the back ground, hence the back ground goes dark and the subject stays well lite.
Good luck and Keep on shooting until the end.

Dave H2

Very interested. Thanks for the idea to have such a forum.
D

PattyW60 Loc: Northwest Illinois

I would be very interested! It's kinda funny, but there's something about using a flash that scares me. haha... I have a couple Magmod diffusers, an umbrella, and recently bought a trigger for learning more about off camera flash. I really want to learn how to use fill flash for outdoor portrait type work, too! There is also an opportunity to take some cast iron toy photos for our local museum, so I'd like to learn how to light those in a cool way. So much to learn, at least for me. Thank you for offering to start a new section!
Patty

drharveys Loc: Holly Springs, NC

I'm in. I have stuck to use of natural light because use of flash is not intuitive for me.

AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

For those who are interested, what aspects of lighting or light usage would be especially interested in?

How to recognize good and bad light, what to do about it with what you have.
Create your own light indoors, enhance good light outdoors.
The right light at the right place at the right time.
Recognize lighting issues in post processing, what to dodge, what to burn.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

For those who are interested, what aspects of lighting or light usage would be especially interested in?

For me the use of artificial lighting (of any kind)

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

In this forum, thereis some discussion about lighting equipment, some discussions about the physics of light as per colour temperature and white balance, and the quantity of light as per exposure but little about the dynamics and aesthetics of light.

No doubt, the science of light is interesting, things like photons, wavelengths and spectral properties, but if you are an artistically inclined photograher there is much to discuss as to how some of the physical properties of light as to the quality, reflection, concentration, diffusion, and direction of light influence the aesthetics of our work.

Some folks associate "lighting" with controlled studio work as opposed to natural, existing, or available light. The fact is, however, if you have a good working knowledge of controlled studio-like lighting methods, you will more easily recognize and effectively utilize natural or exiting light. Inversely, if you have a knack for "SEEING" natural ligh, you will be better equipped to simulate various kinds of light in a studio environment.

In some people, "seeing" the aesthetics of light, havig an "eye" for light is an inborn talent like havig and "ear" for music, however, these traits need to be developed and can much be learned.

No matter what you shoot, landscapes, birds, wildlife, flowers, insects, sports, portraits, architecture, whatever, mostly you are attempting to render a three-dimension subject on a two-dimensional sheet of paper or a flat screen. The degree of success in that area is mainly dependent on lighting. You can have the sharpest lenses, the most advanced camera with incredibly high pixel counts, and the most sophisticated lighting gear, if the aesthetics of light are not factored into your work, your images will be flat, lacklustre, and lack modelling, depth, mood, and the illusion of dimensionality.

My question here is not only "what do you know about light and lighting"? but what do you want to know, learn, share, and discuss about this topic? I know that many of the specialized volunteer-managed sections are not very popular or highly trafficked on UHH, however, do any of you feel that a LIGHTING would be an asset or a popular resource.

I have noticed many questions about various kinds of lighting gear. There are discussions of price, features, and equipmet compatibility but hardly anything about aesthetics. Folk ask should I buy umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, etc. If they knew specifically how they work, differ, and how they can be used most effectively, they would be in a better position to decide on the right gear for the job at hand.

I would appreciate y'all's feedback! EnLIGHTEN me!

In this forum, thereis some discussion about light... (show quote)

I have seldom done studio work.
I seldom use lighting modification outside, call it lazy or what you want. I go for walks for pleasure and have a camera along for found opportunities. More fun that way for me.
I am sure the shots in some cases could be better if light modification was performed but that would destroy the joy of the activity by carrying around the truly required equipment, setting up just right then tear down to walk a bit further. My flash I carry usually suffices when desired or needed.
That is my style.

Kentski Loc: Michigan

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

In this forum, thereis some discussion about lighting equipment, some discussions about the physics of light as per colour temperature and white balance, and the quantity of light as per exposure but little about the dynamics and aesthetics of light.

No doubt, the science of light is interesting, things like photons, wavelengths and spectral properties, but if you are an artistically inclined photograher there is much to discuss as to how some of the physical properties of light as to the quality, reflection, concentration, diffusion, and direction of light influence the aesthetics of our work.

Some folks associate "lighting" with controlled studio work as opposed to natural, existing, or available light. The fact is, however, if you have a good working knowledge of controlled studio-like lighting methods, you will more easily recognize and effectively utilize natural or exiting light. Inversely, if you have a knack for "SEEING" natural ligh, you will be better equipped to simulate various kinds of light in a studio environment.

In some people, "seeing" the aesthetics of light, havig an "eye" for light is an inborn talent like havig and "ear" for music, however, these traits need to be developed and can much be learned.

No matter what you shoot, landscapes, birds, wildlife, flowers, insects, sports, portraits, architecture, whatever, mostly you are attempting to render a three-dimension subject on a two-dimensional sheet of paper or a flat screen. The degree of success in that area is mainly dependent on lighting. You can have the sharpest lenses, the most advanced camera with incredibly high pixel counts, and the most sophisticated lighting gear, if the aesthetics of light are not factored into your work, your images will be flat, lacklustre, and lack modelling, depth, mood, and the illusion of dimensionality.

My question here is not only "what do you know about light and lighting"? but what do you want to know, learn, share, and discuss about this topic? I know that many of the specialized volunteer-managed sections are not very popular or highly trafficked on UHH, however, do any of you feel that a LIGHTING would be an asset or a popular resource.

I have noticed many questions about various kinds of lighting gear. There are discussions of price, features, and equipmet compatibility but hardly anything about aesthetics. Folk ask should I buy umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, etc. If they knew specifically how they work, differ, and how they can be used most effectively, they would be in a better position to decide on the right gear for the job at hand.

I would appreciate y'all's feedback! EnLIGHTEN me!

In this forum, thereis some discussion about light... (show quote)

I am interested primarily in natural lighting…count me in.

John Paquette Loc: Little Rock, Arkansas

Yes, i am very interested in learning a lot more about lighting. I am just in the beginning of understanding.

JBRIII

Seeing is a term used in astro to include the stillness of the atmosphere, I believe. This refers to pockets of air which can greatly affect planetary photos.

Wasabi

Light is fascinating, magical. The more I can learn the better I will be. Hope you get the 'go-ahead'.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

In this forum, thereis some discussion about lighting equipment, some discussions about the physics of light as per colour temperature and white balance, and the quantity of light as per exposure but little about the dynamics and aesthetics of light.

No doubt, the science of light is interesting, things like photons, wavelengths and spectral properties, but if you are an artistically inclined photograher there is much to discuss as to how some of the physical properties of light as to the quality, reflection, concentration, diffusion, and direction of light influence the aesthetics of our work.

Some folks associate "lighting" with controlled studio work as opposed to natural, existing, or available light. The fact is, however, if you have a good working knowledge of controlled studio-like lighting methods, you will more easily recognize and effectively utilize natural or exiting light. Inversely, if you have a knack for "SEEING" natural ligh, you will be better equipped to simulate various kinds of light in a studio environment.

In some people, "seeing" the aesthetics of light, havig an "eye" for light is an inborn talent like havig and "ear" for music, however, these traits need to be developed and can much be learned.

No matter what you shoot, landscapes, birds, wildlife, flowers, insects, sports, portraits, architecture, whatever, mostly you are attempting to render a three-dimension subject on a two-dimensional sheet of paper or a flat screen. The degree of success in that area is mainly dependent on lighting. You can have the sharpest lenses, the most advanced camera with incredibly high pixel counts, and the most sophisticated lighting gear, if the aesthetics of light are not factored into your work, your images will be flat, lacklustre, and lack modelling, depth, mood, and the illusion of dimensionality.

My question here is not only "what do you know about light and lighting"? but what do you want to know, learn, share, and discuss about this topic? I know that many of the specialized volunteer-managed sections are not very popular or highly trafficked on UHH, however, do any of you feel that a LIGHTING would be an asset or a popular resource.

I have noticed many questions about various kinds of lighting gear. There are discussions of price, features, and equipmet compatibility but hardly anything about aesthetics. Folk ask should I buy umbrellas, softboxes, beauty dishes, etc. If they knew specifically how they work, differ, and how they can be used most effectively, they would be in a better position to decide on the right gear for the job at hand.

I would appreciate y'all's feedback! EnLIGHTEN me!

In this forum, thereis some discussion about light... (show quote)

Definitely interested. If it is intended to be a learning category, then holding exercises and viewing/critiquing the submissions might be something to consider.