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Lighting Ratios

Assessment Item 11
Basic Studio Lighting
Textured Subject – Lighting Ratio

Write-Up for Lighting Class

Above is my textured object (The Thai Lady), 1st step is to take a series of photographs at different lighting ratios. 2nd step is to do a 4 up at 5×4” layout with the ratios and 1 single print 10×8” and document.

Equipment: Textured Object, Studio, Table, Black Cloth, 1 x Main Light (tungsten), 1 x Light Stand, Tape, Power Cables, Standard Reflector, Light Meter, Assistant, Camera, Camera Battery, Spare Battery , Tripod, 2x SD Cards, Shoot Book   

Steps Taken

Set up the studio, place the table and the object , run the power leads and tape them down, set up the light and stand, draw the main curtains, turn off the studio lights, test the position of the main light adjust the distance, set the light meter T60, ISO 1600.

Use the light meter to get a reading on the object of 8.0 from the main light on the subject, Check Camera Battery, set the camera settings F8,ISO 1600 and T60 position the camera.

Take a test shot and check framing and result make any adjustments, Get the assistant to hold the reflector and position it, keeping the camera and main light in the same position. 

Move the reflector away from the object to adjust the ratios, use the light meter to take readings at the required ratios 1:2@F5.6, 1:4@F4.0,1:8@F2.8,1:16 F2.0, take a photo at each correct meter reading.

Studio Object Shoot Layout instructions
My single image choice is light ratio 1:8, I like the soft finish the shadows the lighting is a little nicer and better positioned on the subject and look very natural to me.

Print Size will be 8” x 10” 4 up in 5” x 4” with the ratio labels on each image aligned bottom left/right. The final image will be grey scale managed in Adobe Bridge

  • Get the textured Photos (raw)
  • Create duplicate and open in Photoshop
  • Create a new file custom size 5×4 300 dpi transparent 8 bit RGB colour square pixels px in inches.
  • Select view print size
  • Re sized undocked
  • Set position and view on top
  • Select the crop tool
  • Menu select front image
  • Crop Image then select view print size
  • Repeat for other images
  • Open Camera raw file new photo landscape 8” x 10” 300dpi
  • Use Rulers and guides layout the 4 images
  • Add ratio labels
  • Save as Flat jpg
  • Back to Adobe bridge
  • Select HSL convert grey scale
  • Save file name_4up.jpg

Ready for print

The table below refers to settings and readings for the Camera, Light Meter and Ratios

 

Photo ID

Lighting
Ratio

Incident
Reading

ISO

Spot Reading
Main Light

1

1:2

F5.6

1600

8.0

2

1:4

F4.0

1600

8.0

3

1:8

F2.8

1600

8.0

4

1:16

F2.0

1600

8.0

Shoot Details: Textured Object
Photographer: Daniel Bunce
Lighting Source: Tungsten +Reflector
Camera Info: Canon EOS 600D Mode: Manual
Format: RAW + JPG

Subject Shooting for: Assessment Item 11 Basic Studio Lighting Textured Subject – Lighting Ratio

Location: Photo Studio

Equipment:
Textured Object, Studio, Table, Black Cloth, 1 x Main Light (tungsten), 1 x Light Stand, Tape, Power Cables, Standard Reflector, Light Meter, Assistant, Camera, Camera Battery, Spare Battery , Tripod, 2x SD Cards, Shoot Book

Brief of Shoot:
Photograph a series of photographs at different lighting ratios