Photographing with Artificial Light
This module offers a brief guide explaining how to take photographs with a DSLR while working with artificial light in a studio setting.
Learning Outcomes
This project aims for a better understanding of how to use one artificial light to achieve images with different light intensities based on the amount of fill light attained. The fill light is attained through the use of a flat. The user will also learn how to properly pose a subject.
Materials Used
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DSLR Camera
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Zoom lens or fixed focal length of 90-100mm
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Tripod
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White collapsible reflector
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Studio with tungsten artificial lighting
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Light meter
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Subject
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Chair for the subject to sit in
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White/black flat
Software Used
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Adobe Bridge
Setup Notes
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DSLR should be secured on a tripod
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DSLR Camera Mode should be set to M or A for the entire exercise
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Make sure to record all photos using a RAW file format
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Capture the files at the camera’s lowest ISO
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Use a medium aperture setting (ƒ/5.6 or ƒ/8)
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Use tungsten auto-balance with a color temperature of 3200K
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Turn off Noise Reduction
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Turn off Sharpening
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Set the Color Space to Adobe 1998
Steps
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Set up the studio and the camera using the setup notes above.
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Place a chair in the area to be photographed.
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Seat the subject in the chair, with their body angled slightly away from the camera. Have them look directly at the camera.
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Position the tungsten light on one side of the subject, facing them.
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Position the black flat on the opposite side of the subject, until a small rectangle of light appears on the darker side of their face.
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Take a measurement of the area with a light meter and note the proper shutter speed to use with a medium aperture. In this case, ƒ/5.6 was used.
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Set the appropriate shutter speed on the camera. In this case, the shutter speed was 1/30.
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Take a photo using the settings above.
Final Outcome
Image captured using steps described above