AO2- Lighting in a Studio (Workshop)

Lighting in a Studio - Workshop

When it comes to lighting it is important to use a variety of different angles and heights to create the desired effect on the image you are creating. 

There are three main points in lighting, these include one point lighting, two point lighting and three point lighting. Each used for different reasons and creating varied atmospheres when looking at the image. The lighting helps to change the moods of the photo, a seemly innocent photo can go from that to dangerous just by using less lighting and moving the lighting, for example if we moved it to the side it would portray an eerie feel to the image. 

Frontal Bare Strobe Light - One Point Lighting
This is where there is one sole light, a key light, that is usually placed in the front of the subject. However people also put it to either sides of the subjects face to produce more dark and creepy imagery. 
This type of lighting highlights majority of the face, but also clearly shows the shadows over his face as well. However is at a height that the there are shadows underneath the models chin. As it is only the one light at the front it produces shadows of the top sides of his head. 

 Bare Strobe Lighting - Two Point Lighting

This is where there are two lights, usually one either way of the subject. Sometimes these lights are in different positions, this is done to create different effects. For example people often put one light at the front of the subject and one behind, this would create a overly bright image. This type of lighting highlights majority of the face, but also clearly shows the shadows over his face as well. However is at a height that the there are shadows underneath the models chin. As there are two lights at the front on either sides it produces much clearer lines around the top of the subjects head and body, and also much of his facial features. 

This type of lighting produces maximum amount of light on the subject, especially on the subject face as it ends up producing a very flat looking image. Many believe this type of lighting almost looks unnatural because of the lack of colour and contrast. 

 Bare Strobe Lighting - Three Point Lighting 

This is where there are three lights, usually two either side of the subject and one behind to the side. Sometimes these lights are in different positions, this is done to create different effects. This type of lighting highlights all of the subjects face, only showing shadows under the chin of the subject. This lighting is often used to remove shadows from the imagery. As there are two lights at the front on either sides it produces much clearer lines around the top of the subjects head and body, and also much of his facial features. Also, as there is a light behind it heightens the lighting intensity as it reflects and brightening the intensity of the lights at the front of the subject. This type of lighting produces maximum amount of light on the subject, especially on the subject face. Most people use this type of lighting to create dimension to their images, as the strong use of lights and shadows help create an image that is more 3D and less flat.

Another type of lighting is:

Ambient Lighting - Room Lighting

Along with using extra lighting equipment during a shoot, their is also the use of the ambient lighting (room lighting).  This type of lighting is above so tends to brighten the whole image but also showing slight shadows underneath the chin and facial features. 

Along with the types of lighting there are also ways to change the image while using different angles for the lighting. 

High Angle Frontal Lighting - One Point Lighting 

This lighting is a type of one point lighting, however a high angle frontal lighting. This means that the height of the light means that the all the illuminated areas of the subject are the heigh parts creating large and dark shadows across the features of the subject. 

Low Angle Frontal Lighting - One Point Lighting 
Contrasting to the last image, this lighting is a type of one point lighting, however this is low angle frontal lighting. This means that the light it so low that it only illuminates the bottom areas of the face, all the areas that are usually in shadow. Therefore producing more shadows around his head and some of his features. 

 Low and High Angle Lighting - Butterfly Lighting 
This is a type of lighting that includes two lights, one above and one below the subjects face height. Using this type of lighting produces light above and below, this meaning that the middle parts of his face are lacking any light. Therefore producing shadows because there is no light that is front on, only angled.



There are also different types of lighting equipment you can use for more effects, these equipment include soft box, ring lighting and strobe with a snoot. 

Soft Box Lighting (Small) - One Point Lighting 
Soft box lighting helps to soften the light being directed at the subject, therefore making the image have a less harsh light illuminated face and making the subject look more natural. Soft box lighting also helps to produce less harsh lines and shadows across the face of the subject. 

 Soft Box Lighting (Large) - One Point Lighting

Yet again, this soft box is used to soften the lighting produced. However as this is a large softbox there is more light being let onto the subjects face. Although it is still making the image have a less harsh light illuminated face and making the subject look more natural. Soft box lighting also helps to produce less harsh lines and shadows across the face of the subject. 

 Ring Lighting - One Point Lighting
Ring lighting is often used to soften the shadows but is can also help give a sort of shadow halo around the subjects face. As the shadows are only around the sides of the subjects face and there are limited shadows in the middle. Some also use this lighting as it produces a unique circular highlight in the subjects eyes.