cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

Thanks Ed. Please count me in. I was traveling and did not see this thread until today. Lighting is the soul of photography. You can never have too much soul.

Irwin

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I think such a section would be quite interesting and probably a boon to those who have never worked in a studio or with multiple light sources. You have my vote.

Lyle Johnson Loc: central Florida

I would definitely be interested in simple, but effective setups. I take a few portraits and use natural light and a reflector.

Blurry Photographer Loc: Wyoming

count me in. learning light for indoor and how bout landscape visual light

srt101fan

Ed, I think you hit on a topic that, judging from the responses so far, could provide a valuable learning experience and an opportunity for meaningful discussion for UHH folks.

I, for one, am too often insufficiently aware of what ambient lighting is doing to my photo subject - street, landscape, available light candid shots, pictures at the zoo, whatever. I need to get better at gauging the dynamic range of a scene and evaluating highlights and shadows. Maybe your section could address some of that.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Lighting is somewhat difficult to explain and understand in words only - experience and seeing results are a very necessary part of learning.
.

Steve DeMott Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)

Count me in. I would love to share what I do know and learn more about what I don't

Hereford Loc: Palm Coast, FL

I would be interested in a light education/training opportunity.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Yes, very interesting topic I'd like a section devoted to this idea.

srt101fan

What you say is very true. I'm thinking that discussion of UHHers "experience" and "results", based on examples, could be helpful.

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

You bring up an important point. I would find it nearly impossible to teach, learn and exchange ideas about lighting without VISUAL examples to work with. Text and diagrams are helpful but the whole idea is SEEING light.
We do, however, need a language of lighting that everyone understands to explain the techniques and communicate effectively.

In another aspect of photography, most of us are familiar with all the terms about exposure, optics, and p[ost processing- there are dozed o if no hundred of terms, acronyms, abbreviations that we all learned da use, however, little is said, known or in common use when it comes to light and lighting aesthetics. None of it is "rocket science" and once folk get the gest of each term or theory, the practice becomes easier.

The biggies are the angle of incidence and the inverse square law. These two important principles are contained in so many techniques and have a wealth of advantages.

Other terms and techniques that may be unfamiliar to some are; unseen secondary light, umbra and penumbra, subtractive lighting, precise feathering methods, lighting direction and its effect on composition, precise vignetting with light, and so much more.

RG's post is very important. He says Pparaphrazed that fol can see and recognize beautiful light but does not know how to replace it. That is try- we see I'm and photograph impressive sunsets, all kinds of romantic or harsh light, each within own mood, feeling and effect. If we analyze how that light occurs and can break it down into understandable terms, it would be somewhat easier to replicate and recognize it.

I think this kinda thing will be FUN and it is not expensive. When I was a young guy, just starting out in professional photography, my first boss and mentor set me straight. I was impressed with his work but surprised that the studio was equipped with older rather "outdated" gear. There was some old well-worn flood and spotlights- we hadn't gone to electronic flash at the time. He told me "If you know your lighting, you can produce a masterpiece with a candle, if you do not know your lighting, you can have enough lighting for a Hollywood stage and all you will have is a big electric bill"!

DICK32

I do product shots; of boats, people and animals. I've tried all kinds of lighting, and built light assemblies. Our company does plastic, metal, and wood fabrication for our products--so we have lots stuff to use. I've put, color jells over light boxes. I built light tables to put product on. I use gray cards to color balance photos in Photoshop the light bulbs are 5,000 Kelvin. All this stuff is great and I get the photos I need to make the product look good on a catalog page. I can adjust the light intensity with dimmers both top and bottom and use gels to accent colors. I can put flood lights around the light table to spot lite products.

But simple is some times best. I put 2 white boards together back to back taped together. I unfold them to form an L shape. place the product in it with a gray card. I Take the pictures out doors in the sun and move the product to get the best light. The sun is 5,200 Kelvin. The white board can be moved in and out to adjust the light.

I would be interested in hearing what other folks do to get good pictures in different light conditions.

sscnxy

Hello Mr. Shapiro.
I always value your input and pay attention to your posts. If the special section is indeed added, please inform all of us who are interested. Thanks again.

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

Between all these posts and PMs, we have over 50 positive responses and have sent the Admin a requist a new section called "The Dynamics of Photograhic Lighting". I am awaiting his response.

Regardless of the outcome, I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and great suggestions. and ideas.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Hi Ed….this is a great idea. Please include my interest in lighting/exposure for shadows and tone control when you start. Thanks.