This semester I am in an Advertising and Illustrative Photography class. In this class we will be learning about how to use studio lighting and what each light source is used for. So far, we have learned the simple ways to use lighting.
These ways are 90 degree, 45 degree, butterfly, and backlit light. 90 degree lighting is when the light source is placed 90 degrees from where the camera is. 45 degree lighting is when the light source is placed 45 degrees from where the camera is. Butterfly light is when the light source is placed above the subject that is being photographed. Lastly, backlit light is when the light source is behind the subject.
For our first project last week, we had to bring in things that had texture and make that texture seem 3-D by using those four different light placements. The items that I brought in were three books, glasses, and a mug with a sweater like cover on it. I love to read, so luckily it didn’t take me long to come up with something.
Now each light source placement has a different effect. The 90 degree light placement is usually the one that someone would use if they wanted to see all of the little details of the texture. So this placement is most likely the best choice for someone who wants to make any subject look as 3-D as possible. The 45 degree light placement gives you more of a harsher light and decreases the amount of texture that is shown. Butterfly light is more of a dull lighting, depending on how high or how bright the light is. In my photograph, it was more of a dull light. Backlit light basically makes the subject a silhouette. In my photograph, I wasn’t able to go right behind the subject because I had a piece of board behind my subject. So in order to get a silhouette look, I made the light source higher.
I have already learned so much in this class within the first week and I can’t wait to see what comes next!
