Four Factors of Lighting, backgrounds

Read: Chapters 1, 2, and 5 (only pages 85-108)

Shoot:

Find an interesting subject that can be photographed on a table-top. Should be solid (relatively) non-glossy object.

• Create a flat background to shoot upon. Use paper (distressed, painted on, etc.), wood, sheet metal, or any kind of interesting material that will compliment your subject. Most likely, you will be shooting down on your subject. Use a single hot light and reflector. Create a series of still life images that show a variation of:

1. Color
2. Angle
3. Intensity
4. Character (Contrast)

• Create a distant, airy, diffuse background. Have it be far behind your subect. Shoot with a long lens at wide aperture to push it out of focus. Most likely, you will be shooting across to your subject. Vary the lighting on the background. Create a series of still life images that show a variation of:

1. Color
2. Angle
3. Intensity
4. Character (Contrast)

• For one of the above arrangements, shoot with natural light. Try to vary the four factors of light—to what degree is this possible with natural light?

The four factors, in some combination or another, contribute to all possible lighting designs. Is this true? How do your choices create volume/presence in your object? What brings it to life? What creates depth?

Due: 1/23. Bring images to class, ready to view on screen.