Learning Activity – 21 Studio Lighting

Question 1

The three lighting sources and their functions

1. “Key light” – It creates the defining highlights and shadows areas to the scene, and is the most important light source. All the other light sources are built around the Key Light. The Key Light is closest to the object or model when shooting, and is also the brightest of the light sources.
2. “Fill Light” – The Fill Light is not as bright as the Key Light. It is used together (with) to soften up the shadows created by the Key Light.
3. “Back Light” – Back Light is used to create depth in photographs, as the photo can be a little flat using only two light sources. It is very well appreciated in portrait photography as it makes the model stand out, or if you have a subject with dark/black background. Back Light is also known as “hair light” or “separation light”.

Light Modifiers

“Hard Light” – Created by f.ex. direct sunlight (during certain hours of the day, seen there’s no clouds blocking the sun) or artificial lighting such as studio lighting and Key Light.

“Soft Light” – Can be created by sunlight also, if there is clouds blocking the direct sunlight. Studio lighting with f.ex. Fill Lighing or by using Softboxes.

Hard Light creates or cast very harsh shadows and distinct highlights. Soft Light creates more gentle and soft shadows that are more spread out on the subject you’re photographing.

Three-Point-Lighting

The Three-Point-Lighting set up consist of a Key Light, a Fill Light and a Back Light. It is typically used for portrait shooting. When using this method you get hard light from the Key Light, and a softening of the hard light from the Fill Light. The Back Light creates highlight on things like a persons hair (and of course back), and makes the subject stand out from the background.

Question 2

1. Three studio set ups for “Beauty”, “Portrait” and “Fashion”

For a beauty set up I would use a key light pointing at the face, and a fill light on the other side to soften up the shadows a bit, and a back light to make the model stand out from the studio background.

I would use a key light towards one side of the model, and a fill light on the opposite side, only to soften some of the shadow which the key light would create. No back light to create more shadows and contrasts.

I would use a hard light, as key light, to one side of the face of the model and a soft fill light on the other to increase shadows on the face of the model. And a back light to make him or her stand out from the background and also highlight hair and create as little shadow as possible (with it still looking good and not too illuminated).

2. How I think the lighting was set up

Beauty shot: It looks to me as the key light is hitting her from her right side (left side of the photograph), and a fill light from the opposite side. Both lights placed in front of her, kind of targeting the face. The background looks more like a soft light created by placing a thin fabric wall between the back light and the model.

Fashion shot: If this photograph is actually taken outside I think the photographer used natural sunlight as a key light, in addition to a fill- and back light. It looks like the sun is facing the female model, and I think the fill and back light are set up behind her and to her left (right side of the photo).

Portrait shot: Key light to his left side, fill light to his right. Both standing in front of him, and back light to his left.

Question 3

Photographs are coming