Studio and outdoor shooting both present lighting challenges.
Lighting is a key element of both motion and still photography. Shooting indoors offers more control of lighting conditions than shooting outdoors, but both come with some difficulty. Some simple lighting changes can set a mood for a scene or bring out the best in a subject. Understanding how lighting works is an essential part of bringing art to life. Use lighting techniques both in the studio and on-location to enhance the aesthetics of a piece and bring out the best in a subject.
Three-point Studio Setup
A three-point studio setup is the most-used lighting design in the business. It uses a key light, a fill light and a back light. The key light is normally two times the brightness of any other light source, and serves to bring out details and give dimension when the camera rolls. To be effective, the key light should be positioned 45 degrees above and to the side of the subject. A fill light is generally half as bright as the key, and serves to enhance details that may otherwise not be picked up on camera. It opens shadowy areas and lightens the dark side of a subject. The back light is adjustable and its brightness changes depending on how reflective the subject and whether the color is light or dark. Lighting is done on a case-by-case basis, so frequent adjustments may be necessary. A light meter or a properly calibrated monitor will help dictate where lights should be placed for shooting.
Lighting and Movement
Motion can make lighting a photo or video shot more difficult. Whether the subject moves only from one position to another or moves to several different marks, each time a subject moves may necessitate a lighting adjustment. Outside the studio, a standard setup may not be effective or practical, which means the ability to solve problems quickly becomes important. Instead of providing all three components in each spot, a lighting technician can overlap or identically arrange lighting in the two spots, or simply adjust fill lights as necessary. Overlapping creates identical lighting continuity from one location to another, making the transition as a subject moves seamless for the viewer. This works best if the movement pathway is short. For longer shots, or those held outdoors, back lighting is not always necessary. Instead, fill lights can be moved or brightness adjusted to light the path as needed, creating an image that is reasonably constant. A basic lighting setup can highlight most of the scene and use select fill lights depending on the camera angle, the reflectivity of the subject and an array of other factors. Fill lights should be adjusted frequently to keep a consistent appearance for the camera.
Filters
Filters are essential for lighting in a studio or on location, both in still photography and in motion pictures. Using filters can create a feel for a scene or simply soften too-harsh light. Neutral density filters can be invaluable to shooting indoors or outdoors. These filters reduce the amount of light that makes it through the lens, making wider apertures outdoors possible. A wide aperture creates a shallow depth of field, putting more focus on the subject. This is especially useful outdoors because background disruptions may be a problem. For outdoor shooting, a graduated filter is essential. The lens is designed with one end clear and one colored, with a blurred transition in between. The lens comes in a variety of colors and is used to adjust too-bright sky tones while leaving the remainder of the shot bright. All filters for still or motion cameras work and fit differently. It is ideal to research and purchase filters through the manufacturer. If this is not possible, several outlets, both online and in person, can assist photographers in selecting the best equipment for their projects.
