Stand-alone pages - Lighting AC3 Technical

Over the 2 years, you should record all of your technical knowledge relating to light and lighting in a separate document... A stand-alone document which is continually updated and added to as you learn. 

All of your tasks are assessed using the same assessment criteria AC3 technical, so, to some extent the evidence you provide is repeated again and again throughout the duration of the course. 

It therefore makes sense that you keep all of the work done with regards these repetitive tasks in a designated document and re-use when required. For example throughout your work when you're shooting you have to make decisions based on what you're trying to communicate whether to use point or diffuse light. You may have written a detailed account of what diffuse light is during an earlier task - Objectivity, with diagrams and examples. If in the new task you use diffuse light, you should use the same diagrams and explanations in conjunction with your current work showing detailed knowledge of it and why it's the right choice for your subject. 

Also consider the wording of the criteria if you're looking to attain the higher grades...

 demonstrates accomplished selection and skilful application of media, materials, techniques and processes, showing thorough understanding of their impact on outcomes and ability to exploit them to meet intentions.

As an example you could have stand-alone page (A designated document) where you write up all your technical knowledge regarding lighting. Typically over the year this would feature the following...

Typically include

 

Point light – characteristics and properties, use diagrams to illustrate. Use own photographs of point light in use, showing light quality. Analysis of pro’s and con’s of using point light. Analysis of impact on line/form & texture. Examples of point light used in professional applications with an explanation as to why it is fit for purpose and being used in the instance that you choose.

Use images of lighting methods, techniques and materials that enable point light. Use images of typical sources of point light seen outside of the studio scenario along with annotation/analysis.

 

*Use my demo I did with the 8x4 poly-board when I moved the light from a frontal position to a side-on position revealing the impact on the surface. Explain what this related to.

 

Point light – turning the light side-on – why and what is the impact and what’s the rationale

 

Diffuse light - – characteristics and properties, use diagrams to illustrate. Use own photographs of diffuse light in use, showing light quality. Analysis of pro’s and con’s of using diffuse light. Analysis of impact on line/form & texture. Examples of diffuse light used in professional applications with an explanation as to why it is fit for purpose and being used in the instance that you choose.

Use images of lighting methods, techniques and materials that enable diffuse light. Use images of typical sources of diffuse light seen outside of the studio scenario along with annotation/analysis.

 

How to increase the point light attributes of the Gemini type Bowens flash heads.

 

Inverse square law – Detailed explanation with diagrams showing the impact of the application of inverse square law in studio lighting scenarios. Use my diagram using planet earth as an example and a diagram using a lighting scenario in the studio showing how the white background can be rendered black through the use of the application of inverse square law. How does this impact on decisions about the size of the studio when working as a professional.

 

Angle of incidence – analysis of scenarios and examples where this becomes an issue with regards the use of light 1. Red eye. 2, Flat-copying of shiny documents, 3. People wearing glasses. Use diagrams illustrating the issues and how this over-come.

 

Light ratios – using your cameras internal flash. Explain how the flash output can be controlled to provide ‘Fill-in flash’ as opposed to using it as the primary light source. Show your cameras settings and the sequence of instruction to enable and use this function. Use images demonstrating the impact of controlling the flash out-put.

 

Auto flash; how does it work? ­ Explain how auto flash works in conjunction with the absorbency and reflectance of the subject. This involves an explanation that requires an understanding of subject failure.

 

Colour casts & white balance Explain and show examples of colour casts and how they impact on your pictures. Do they always need to be corrected, in what situation are they acceptable if ever?

 

 

The golden hour – What are the advantages of the golden hour and in what photography is it frequently used. What are the key advantages of the golden hour – what is its impact – detailed explanations and examples of it being used, ideally with your own images. What of the colour cast?

 

 

North light – North light – what is it traditionally and what are its attributes and characteristics in photography, what of the colour cast, and how do you achieve it, what is its colour temperature?

 

Light & Objectivity  - What roles does the choice of light have in terms of objectivity, explain how and why light might be objective? Use example preferably your own

 

 

Light & Subjectivity - What roles does the choice of light have in terms of subjectivity, explain how and why light might be subjective? Use example preferably your own

 

 

White studio v black studio – Pro’s and cons. What are the advantages of one over the other.

 

Controlling daylight Using reflector boards and baffle boards. Use examples from the class session to show how you’ve controlled the exposure on the background and the subject with detailed explanations and floor plans showing your approach.

 

Lighting Floor plans – Why are they used? Show examples and show that you have a legend and use a consistent approach in your use of symbols.

 

 

Wide shots of sets – You have to include these as when they’re used with your floor plan diagram, it enables you to set up your lights in the same way. This should be explained in your work.

 

Floor markings – Why are these used, what are they?