Portrait Light Basics and Vocabulary

Overview: We are going to start exploring the wonderful world of studio lighting. We be learning 5 Basic Portrait Lighting Techniques. We also need to learn the jargon (technical words) to describe the types of lighting and equipment we will be using.

Assignment: Make a new blog titled "Light Basics and Vocabulary."

Complete Parts 1, 2, and 3 below.

Part 1: Watch the video on The Five Basic Lighting Techniques and then click on the links below to help you describe the following lighting techniques.

http://petapixel.com/2011/11/12/five-basic-lighting-techniques-for-studio-portraiture/

For each technique you should explain the following: 

• 1. What effect does it create?
• 2. Why use it?
• 3. How many lights or light sources?

The Five Basic Lighting Techniques

Butterfly (or Paramount) -- 

Loop -- 

Rembrandt --
Split --
Broad and Short --

http://www.sekonic.com/whatisyourspecialty/photographer/articles/the-five-basic-portrait-lighting-setups.aspx

See this link for Broad and Short description http://oneslidephotography.com/basic-studio-lighting-setups/

Here is another set of good examples and lighting pattern diagrams: http://digital-photography-school.com/6-portrait-lighting-patterns-every-photographer-should-know

Part 2: Review the list of terms below. You need to read about these types of lights and concepts and write definitions for each in your own words. 

Fill light

Key light (main light)

Hair light

Background light

Shadowless

Hard light

Soft light

Grey card

Reflector

Diffuser

Intensity (Strength, or how to set shutter speed and aperture's appropriate to portraits)

2:1 lighting ratio

Resources: Below are a few links to help you as you research these terms: 

Glossary of Light

http://www.lowel.com/edu/glossary/

Lighting Setups

http://www.sekonic.com/whatisyourspecialty/photographer/articles/the-five-basic-portrait-lighting-setups.aspx

One Light setups

http://oneslidephotography.com/basic-studio-lighting-setups/

Light placement 

http://www.sekonic.com/whatisyourspecialty/photographer/articles/light-placement.aspx

Lighting Ratios
http://digital-photography-school.com/lighting-ratios-to-make-or-break-your-portrait/

http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1963995&seqNum=7

Part 3: Read the article below and define the following Five Characteristics of Light. Define these terms in your own words.

http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1963995&seqNum=5

Five Characteristics of Light

Direction:
Intensity:
Color:
Contrast:
Hardness: