Lighting Ratios - a primer

[e_]

 
...Peter Adison, a beginner in studio photography and new member at The Photo Forum, requested advice on learning "studio lighting secrets":

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452

I suggested he study "lighting ratios" and Peter asks for a short way to learn this

My response is posted here (in a new thread) to assist visitors using the Site's "Search" function
 

LIGHTING RATIOS:

Although this "studio" topic relates to the most basic of photography's principals, exposure and use of the f-stop, it can be a difficult subject to grasp -- but well worth the effort. Everything learnt from it is directly applicable when shooting outdoors


For those interested in learning about the subject, here are some good places to start:

 
1. A simple overview & summary of lighting ratios:

http://www.vividlight.com/articles/1916.htm


2. An excellent introduction to lighting & lighting ratios (recommended):

http://www.bobshell.com/cgi/bobstalk.pl


3. Free On-line course:

Note ~ although these articles relate to video & cinema-photography, the lighting principals are identical for conventional photography & studio lighting

* Hard & Soft Lighting:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp027.htm

* Colour Temperature Issues:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp028.htm

* Controlling Intensity:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp029.htm

* Lighting Instruments:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp030.htm

* The Key Light:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp031.htm

* Fill, Back & Background Lights:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp032.htm

* Lighting Ratios:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp033.htm

* Special Lighting Situations:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp034.htm

* Altering Appearances:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp035.htm

* Lighting, some final Issues:
http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp036.htm

 
Enjoy!



e_

 

[metroshane]

Wow, thanks. Now I've got some good reading for today.

 

[MDowdey]

thanks E!!




md

 

[voodoocat]

Great post! Lots of wonderful information for anyone in photography.

Before I got into photography, I was into 3D modelling and rendering. I learned a LOT about lighting and lighting ratios. But it's mostly in concept because I don't know the specifics of real life lighting ratios. That's where your post becomes very valuable to me. Thanks!

 

[peter adison]

Dear e_ ,

Thank you for help with these great informations that I couldn`t find by alone.
Cybercollege.com - designed fo television students is a great site even for photographers.
If you know good sites like this, please don`t hesitate to tell us.

Best wishes,

Adison.