OBJECTIVE 3: Light and FLASH in PHOTOGRAPHY

One of the toughest challenges for any photographer is to master the use of light. The goal: To achieve a balance of ambient and artificial light to create mood and white balanced light.

A BIG QUESTION: WHEN SHOULD YOU USE FLASH?-DULL DAYS-NIGHT-INDOORS-WHEN YOU WANT A VERY FAST SHUTTER SPEED (MOVING

OBJECTS)-WHEN THERE IS A BRIGHT BACKGROUND / SUNNY DAY (FILL

FLASH)

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

-EMIT BRIGHT LIGHT -LIMITED RANGE (FALL-OFF)-ADJUSTABLE -LIMITED COVERAGE (HOTSPOTS)DAYLIGHT BALANCED -UNPREDICTABLE REFLECTION

- ELIMINATES TEXTURE-CREATES UNREALISTIC OR WASHED OUT COLOR

HISTORY OF THE FLASH• The camera was in increasing use in the late 1800’s and

photographers were trying to create strong sources of light for lowlight situations.

• Two early theories:– Explosive powders (photo taken in presence of small explosion

of powders) - Floodlights (subject was “cooked” under heat of large lights)

• Flashbulbs-First modern photoflash bulb or flashbulb was invented in early 1900’s

• -1st style - Magnesium-coated wire in an evacuated glass globe • -2nd style - Aluminum foil in oxygen. (Both could only be used once)

• Today flashes come in many styles, are reusable and are very versatile.

2. Separate Flash Units:-Hot Shoe or off- camera types

-Typically more powerful- Angle change possibility (bouncing)- Harsh shadows can be

created

Flash Photography - Digital Photography Tutorials by Roie Galitz

1. Built in Flash:- Very convenient

- Weak distance (10ft?)

- Not much versatility

- Same angle as camera

thus “burnout” and “redeye”

3. Fill –In Flash-2nd flash unit used to “fill-in” shadow areas caused

by 1st stronger flash- Use of “flash slave” can be used

Flash Demonstrations:

1. 3 ways to get light in dark photo (shutter speed length, aperture or flash. 2. Harsh shadows from angles:

– Straight on– From side– With reflector– Bounced

3. Flash range – in and out of range

4. Slow-sync effects – separate flash - strobe light photography

Photo withNice balance between ambient light and Flash Light

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fill_flash.jpg

Using Artificial Light to Improve Light Exposure Assignment:

• Take 2 self portraits that you are happy with. (This should involved a great deal of thought and trial and error for angle, lighting, background, etc…) This can be in any environment you wish and should be created without harsh shadow and will eventually be on the cover of a magazine which you will design:Steps to Enhancing a Photo with Flash:1.Create nice lighting without using flash. Turn the flash setting on

your camera off!– You should use as much natural light as is possible to illuminate

your subject.2. The second step will be with camera flash.- The flash should be used to enhance the natural lighting. (You

may wish to use a reflector or diffuser to create a less harsh light from the flash.) Your goal is to create the best lighting enhancement with flash as you can to your image!

• ExpertVillage Video on Portrait Flash Use

• Take the 2 portraits that are your best examples of successful use of flash and create 2 magazine front cover layouts.

• You will need to choose:– Article titles (“What’s inside” captions)– Color– Layout– Title of magazine* Please ensure that your background stay original to the

photo (no painting!)

-Try to create as realistic a magazine cover as you can.-You will be evaluated on the magazine cover layout and the effectiveness of the flash use on your portrait.

Creating a Magazine Cover - PhotoshopTalent.com

Can Beauty be Calculated For?Can it be Mathematically

Explained?

• Uncanny Examples of the Golden Ratio in Nature

• Mathematical Beauty the golden ratio- YouTube• Interactive mask Website

• YouTube - Extreme (Photoshop) Makeover

• YouTube - Model Evolution With Makeup And Photoshop – Dove

• YouTube - Slob Evolution - Dove spoof• Superb Skin Airbrush Technique |

Photoshop Tutorials• http://www.wimp.com/

cameracommercial/

#1 – Drag your portraits onto a canvas that is

8.5 x 11 inches - Adjust the photo so as to create the proper fit and aspect ratio -You may wish to draw in a line border in order to create a few mm of margin around your canvas

#2 – Choose a font for the “Masthead”that is bold and eye catching

- Adjust letter spacing, size, texture, distressing, positioning,etc… - You can even experiment with uPPer and LoweR casing…

• #3-Add font borders, outer

• glows, or backgrounds to

separate the font from the

image (makes font stand

out more!)

#4 – Add in Lead stories, Teasers

Date, Cost and other detail info.

- Never use the same font as the

Masthead – use contrast in font

to gain interest – experiment with

font sizes and upper and lower

casing

#5 – Choose colors for the Masthead, teasers, etc… - Possibly choose a subtle

color from the photo as in the example to the left.

#6 – Experiment with different colors for the different fonts and placement. You may also wish to add in text effects drop shadows (hard edge, slightly offset) or other photos, barcode, etc…

• The Final

Product(Notice that the

emphasis is split

between the face and

the title – these 2

should share most of

the viewers attention!)