99 Photography Techniques » photography lighting techniques

What photography technique was this guy doing?

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:00:32 +0000

I was at a nighttime event recently where there were different photographers shooting with their flashes, usually pointed at the person.

I saw one guy with his flash that pointed upward to the ceiling (0 degrees), and not at the subjects he was shooting. And it would be a very bright flash – I’m guessing full power.

Just wanted to know what effect he was going for. My guess is that it’s a different lighting/diffusing technique so you don’t get that harsh shadow from shooting the flash directly at them?

Yes, he was bouncing the flash off of the ceiling to avoid the bulletproof flash shadow and the deer in headlights look.

Do you know any good lighting techniques?

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 04:39:19 +0000

There are like 1000 lighting techniques. I really just want to know the basics and the dos and don’ts.

Remember that I’ll use them in filming and not only photography.

If there was only one best lighting technique there would not be thousands. Starting out: light both the background and the subject, try to get some light behind the subject to separate it from it’s environment and don’t put the light too low or too close to the camera ’s lens axis.

what should i buy for the head piece? 10 ptz?

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 08:07:15 +0000

for my musical (thursday is the costume check) one part of the costume is a head piece to partialy cover your hair. here are some examples:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4126855746_aaaa10f3bb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/diogioscuro/sets/72157622918296234/&usg=__ctlzUTE2402ba0VdgpjK6uAHhuI=&h=500&w=500&sz=164&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=-JdaO24kd6u6IM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=144&ei=tIC3TdGrJYndgQeJ8912&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D574%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=876&vpy=225&dur=877&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=113&ty=188&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00N/00NI1q-39756384.jpg&imgrefurl=http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00NHnt&usg=__q5sLw5Q8DVN-5pAjw1J9rvtOcn0=&h=288&w=432&sz=73&hl=en&start=22&zoom=1&tbnid=yGE16UYCwnZ4_M:&tbnh=84&tbnw=126&ei=tIG3Tc65CNHTgQfU_bRt&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D555%26output%3Dimages_json%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divns0%2C249&itbs=1&biw=1138&bih=555 (and yes i’m pretty sure the second girl is a girl)

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://media.kitsapsun.com/media/img/photos/2009/05/03/20090503-222910-pic-452788088_t607.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/03/local-theater-mazeltov-wwcas-145fiddler-is-a/&usg=__yjswAT-5dlQCHIRaKsdzCuyyt1M=&h=301&w=607&sz=63&hl=en&start=36&zoom=1&tbnid=3QUQ_wTx51ovUM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=159&ei=3YG3TaGBH8zegQehyP14&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dfiddler%2Bon%2Bthe%2Broof%2Bcostumes%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D555%26tbm%3Disch0%2C849&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=783&vpy=256&dur=144&hovh=158&hovw=319&tx=277&ty=86&page=3&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:36&biw=1138&bih=555

either do you know any where i can buy them? if not do you know how i could make one out of fabric?
(if so, please tell me how…. well i’m not going to make it my mom is)

10 ptz to best answer.

Take a large square handkercheif, and fold it in half into a triangle.

Put the long flat side by your forehead. Tie the two corners underneath your hair.

Presto.

how viable is photography as a career option? What does it take to make a living at it?

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:57:09 +0000

I have a great eye for detail, lighting and composition. I know I could produce professional quality photos if I learn the techniques, and how to choose the right equipment. Is there enough opportunity in the field to make a living, or does it take a lot of luck and/or knowing people that can get you "in"?

Lots of photographers – a majority actually – work for themselves and freelance. So a great deal is down to your own determination, passion and drive! If you love photography, which it sounds like you do, there’s no reason on earth why you shouldn’t make a successful career of it.

Some of the major areas that freelance photographers work in are:

Portrait – working in your own studio.
Wedding/Event – working with couples, businesses etc.
Fine Art – selling prints/books and holding exhibitions

Other photographers work for people on a contract:

Photojournalism – working for newspapers and magazines etc.
Advertizing – working for ad houses shooting products etc.
(These areas tend to require a degree – but not always)

"Does it take a lot of…knowing people" to get into photography? All businesses are about networking so it should just come with the territory. It’ll start happening before you know it. I worked for a couple of years as a photographer after Uni but now only do bits and pieces because I changed direction. But seriously, once a few people know you offer photography services in your local area the phone calls/emails will come pouring in. In my experience – despite the prevalence of digital cameras, demand is v.high! If you’re polite and ask people to recommend you, word of mouth kicks in.

This is an extensive article on how to become a photographer that might help with your research a bit: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/how-to-become-a-photographer.html

As for learning the techniques etc, here’s an article with tips for taking digital photography to a higher level: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/tips-for-taking-digital-photography.html

Hope that helps!
BTW you have some cool pictures in your galleries – keep at it!

Is using the flash in photography necessary when taking someones portrait if there is sufficient lighting?

admin — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:41:26 +0000

I was looking up homemade photo lighting techniques and notice all of them still used the flash. If i just set up some work lights would that work? Does using the flash benefit my photos in anyway?

No its not necessary if you have sufficient lighting, but it allows to to be more creative with lighting. Flash allows you to control how much ambient light you allow in the image (via shutter speed), also the softness/ hardness of the shadows and their position via directionality of your lights & any modifiers.

Can someone recommend a good book about baby photography?

admin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:32:23 +0000

I have a Canon EOS Rebel XSi camera. Does anyone know some good books with tips/ lots of poses and lighting techniques for photographing babies? Thank you very much, any answers would be appreciated

Anne Geddes is an amazing Baby Photographer. She is my inspiration for my Business.

http://www.annegeddes.com/

any book by her i would recommend

i need to find a site for d-slr camera techniques and effects?

admin — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:26:14 +0000

i know the basics of a d-slr but i want to find a great and easy to understand site that explains how to achieve special techniques and effects. SITES WITH PICTURES OF THE DESIRED TECHNIQUE OR EFFECT IS A MAJOR BONUS. shutter speed is one that has a lot of effects i would like to learn more about. i have used the shutter speed effect for some great lighting techniques but i know there is more and i would like to learn all i can

also separately i would like to find a site that can give you general photography techniques and guides as well but my main focus is on the slr effects

http://www.dslrtips.com/

white screen photography?

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:23:08 +0000

Hey recently i have purchased a white screen and stand from ebay:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250568682567&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT
i paid extra to upgrade to the Better material and i was wondering how to set up the lighting. currently i have no photography lighting and wouldn’t mind spending at least £30 on some kit for it. also i would like some tips/guide to help me understand the lighting techniques and all that as i wanted Professional photographs. PLEASE COME BACK TO ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN THANKS

Go to your local home improvement store (Home Depot or Lowes in the USA) and buy a couple drop lights and stands (or make the stands). Put some form of diffuser on the front of the lights, like cheese cloth. Also google "DIY Studio Lighting", lots of material.

How to use ”painting with light” into a street photography project?

admin — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:05:20 +0000

ive just started 2nd year photography at college.
Last year i had a different teacher who said we had to start a new project in the last half term and over the summer and i chose street photography. I got alot done but this year ive been moved into another class with a teacher who sees me as an inconvenience because i wasnt in that class last year!

He wont let us get on with our projcts until we have done 6 weeks of his ”mini-projects” into different types of photography~
painting with light / light grafitti
portraiture
lighting outside and in the studio
and some others he hasnt said yet.

so i have to incorporate these different techniques into my street photography project.
How can i do this? any ideas
ive been photographing places and i want to do contrasts in places between day and night, experimenting with contrasts and lighting.

thanks in advance for any help!

Night time shots shots using long exposures and using a torch to create the "painting with light" effect.
Environmental portraits using off camera flash either at night or in day light, camera should be on a tripod for night shots. For studio you will be concentrating mainly on lighting, to convey mood or character. For example spot lighting on eyes for dramatic effect or soft beauty lighting "advertising" image.
Outside experiment with a small mirror to reflect light on your subject (spot light effect). Look for ways to make your photographs unique.

First of all thank, you all for the enlightening input. I read a mulitude of articles on photography.?

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:25:17 +0000

I am also trying to learn more about lighting techniques and equipment. One can never know to much about a subject if passionate enough. I am however, sometimes overwhelmed about starting my own legitimate business within the photography sector. It is my passion, but I also love to manipulate photos with my photo software. I am also about to crossover from my already achieved bachelors degree to earn another in graphic design. I still have so much to learn. On the upside, I do have a possible logo. Of all this, my biggest issue is coming up with a name for my business. I absolutely do not want to conform to just using my name or initials. I have more creativity than that, I hope. Anyway, any suggestions on webpages, articles, lighting techniques, etc…with regard to photography would be very helpful.

are you serious?

a cheesy name says the fotog is cheesy, unless your a group of fotogs use your name………..