Soft Light Vocabulary
For this vocabulary exercise you will be breaking into groups of 5. Each student will be selecting on of the following terms to create a Verbal Visual Word Association(VVWA).
Once you have completed your card share out with your group so that you all have a good understanding of all of the words. These vocabulary words are really the building blocks for the rest of the term.
- Soft Light
- Shadow edge transfer
- Open Shade
- Window Light
- Diffusion Panel
- Center Diamond - The Word
- Top Left - Definition of the Word
- Top Right - Image that reminds you of the definition
- Bottom Left - Analogy/ personal association
- Bottom Right - How it is used in photography
Once you have completed your card share out with your group so that you all have a good understanding of all of the words. These vocabulary words are really the building blocks for the rest of the term.
Soft Light Portraits
You have probably noticed form your other lighting assignments that it is difficult to create a flattering portrait with direct sunlight, especially in the middle of the day. Most people look better in soft light. There are less harsh shadows and a smoother transition from highlight to shadow. This week we are going to learn 4 additional sources of soft light(this is in addition to the diffusion panel that you have been using). You will be creating portraits in the following types of light: Back Light, Open Shade, Overcast and Window light. You will also be using the reflectors to help modify the light for even stronger portraits.
Overcast Light
Overcast is one of the best overall lights and days to shoot. There may still be a very subtle direction of light, so pay attention to where the position of the sun is as you are shooting. The open sky acts like a huge soft box. It will create soft even light and large reflections in the eyes. Using a reflector is a great way to add some pop to the portrait and create catch lights in the eyes. If you are using a silver or gold reflector you can even create a direction of light with the fill.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Open Shade shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Open Shade.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Open Shade shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Open Shade.
Open Shade
Open Shade is another easy way to create soft light on a bright sunny day. Find an area of solid shade, not dappled light. Place your subject as close to the edge of the shade as possible with out being in the sun. This will allow the open sky to act like a huge soft box. It will create soft even light and large reflections in the eyes. Using a reflector is a great way to add some pop to the portrait and create catch lights in the eyes. If you are using a silver or gold reflector you can even create a direction of light with the fill.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Open Shade shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Open Shade.
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Open Shade shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Open Shade.
Diffusion Pannel
A diffusion panel is a great way to soften the light when working on a bright sunny day. The diffusion panel is placed in between the subject and the sun to create shadow on the subject. The light transmits though the panel and creates a very soft light quality. Because the light has been modified from basic daylight exposure; it would be a good idea to bracket the exposure to determine the best exposure. The background should start to blow out as you get the correct exposure for the subjects face. Once you have the correct exposure for your portrait start to experiment with how you can augment the light with the white, black or silver reflectors.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Overcast shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Overcast.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the seven exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 7 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver, gold and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Overcast shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Overcast.
Window Light
Window is another great way to create soft light and create so dramatic lighting. The window will act like a large soft box. It will create soft even light and large reflections in the eyes. Using a reflector is a great way to add some pop to the portrait and create catch lights in the eyes. Window light can even create a direction of light depending of the placement of the subject in relationship to the window.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the five exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 5 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Overcast shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Overcast.
Shooting Assignment
For this part of the assignment shoot a bracket set of exposures with no augmentation. Look at each of the five exposures and determine what is the best exposure for your lighting situation. Set the camera to that exposure compensation setting for the rest of your picture. Shoot 5 more image of each of the following augmentations: white, silver and black reflectors to soften the shadows and to create catch light, try both from above and from the side. Experiment with different angles, posing of the model and points of view to create an interesting image. Also have your subject sit and look up to the sky, this will remove even more shadows.
Add and label your best Overcast shot to the Best of Gallery. Also create a gallery with all of you images of Overcast.