Post on 24-Jul-2020
A Demonstration of Lighting
Techniques
Mark Pemberton
June 12, 2013
Equipment Used
• Nikon D700 DSLR
• Nikor 105 mm Lens
• Two SB900 flashes
I used Nikon’s Creative Lighting System to control the flashes. The flashes were
operated in manual mode with the D700’s popup flash acting in commander mode.
The same results could be achieved with an inexpensive camera using inexpensive
flashes (i.e.: Yongnuo) that would be triggered using a sync cord connected to the
camera body.
Camera
Table
Basic Setup and Layout
EggSB900 SB900
background
Aperature
Shutter Speed
Flash Power (%)
Zoom (mm)
Flash Power (%)
Zoom (mm)
Camera
Table
Side Lighting
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
off
NA
EggSB900 SB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
Background brightness
Camera
Table
Side Lighting
With Flag
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
off
NA
EggSB900 SB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
Background brightness
Flag
To keep light off
The background.
Flag prevents light from hitting Background, turning it from white to black.
Camera
Table
Side Lighting
With Reflector
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
off
NA
EggSB900 SB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
Reflector
Used to add fill light to
Shadow side of egg.
White reflector on the right, provides fill light to lighten the shadow on the egg.
Camera
Table
Side Lighting
With Front Fill Light
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
1/16
100 mm
SB900
Note:
Shadow on egg
SB900
Key or Main
Light
Fill Light
(Mounted above camera)
2 0
3 1
With the fill light at 1 f stop less power
Than the Main or Key light you achieve
a 3:1 lighting ratio between the lit and
shadow areas.
Side light Side light with front fill.
With the fill light at 1 f stop less power
Than the Main or Key light you achieve
a 3:1 lighting ratio between the lit and
shadow areas.
Camera
Table
Split Lighting
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
EggSB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
SB900
1/8
100 mm
Split Lighting
Split lighting is often
used for dramatic
effects.
Example of Split Lighting
Camera
Table
Split Lighting
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
Egg
SB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
SB900
1/8
100 mm
Camera View
Split Lighting
Changing the position of the lights controls the width of the shadow line.
Camera
Table
Split Lighting
Problems with lens flare
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
Note:
Light from right flash is shining into the
camera lens, causing flare.
1/8
100 mm
SB900SB900
Placing the lights too far back results in light shining into the lens and causing flare.
Camera
Table
Split Lighting
background
f 22
1/200
1/8
100 mm
Note:
Flag prevents light from entering
The camera lens, thus preventing flare..
SB900
1/8
100 mmSB900
Flag
Using a flag to prevent lens flare
Use a flag to block the light and prevent flare.
Flag should be located
just out of the camera’s
view.
Flag
Camera
Table
Front Lighting
background
f 22
1/200
0
NA
1/8
100 mm
SB900
Note:
Shadow cast by egg
Shadow on egg
Texture or detail on egg
SB900
Key or Main
Light
Front Lighting
Flat. Boring. No interesting shadows.
Diffuser
(softbox, umbrella)
1/1
100 mm
Using a diffuser to create soft light
f 22
1/200
Dividing line not as distinct.
Shadow is diffuse
Without Diffuser
Using a diffuser to soften shadows
Texture is softer