Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography

Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography requires careful planning of lighting and,in most cases, this is achieved by means of artificial light sources. The method, in essence is somewhat like the ways we wrote in DIY Photography Studio Setup Guide. In this Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography we will see what is probably the most characteristic of this photographic genre. Usually, in essence proper lighting for each still life is achieved by means of artificial light sources, just as the portraits in the studio for fashion photography.

The Main Light in Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography

The main light is the one that which determines the overall effect of the image, all other lights should scale. It is said that the light is more powerful, but it certainly is the most important, as it is entrusted with the task of illuminating the most interesting part of the subject.

The effect created by artificial lights must resemble as much as possible the perception that we have with natural light. The sun casts shadows of an individual in one direction and also in the photo studio, to achieve a natural effect, you should try to have only one shadow casting near and two shadows or more are perceived as unnatural and not only become unsightly, but they are a real nuisance. The lighting of the sun always comes from above and casts its shadow in the lower part of the subject, then laterally, at 45 ° to the vertical axis of the subject, things lighted in this way will always be perceived by the eye as natural. This is the Very Basic Theory About Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography.

Front Light

In this case the light source is located in axis of the subject of the photo, it illuminates the subject frontally, in a more or less directly at 90°. The bright contrast is low, the light is flat or does not produce shadows that can enhance the three-dimensionality of the subject. Thus, the front light allows extremely important to color rendition, with some reflection on shiny surfaces it can deter the normal appearance, but overall it gives little depth to the subject. The main light are the typically a portable flash like mounted on the camera body and can be flash ring / ring flash.

Lighting Techniques in Still Life Photography

Sides

In this case, the light source is located at the side of the camera, lighting is still in front but the shadows are deeper, the contrast is greater. This light is used because it allows a very good color rendering and shows very effectively the three-dimensionality of the subject.

Back-light 

The light source is located behind the subject and it casts the shadows toward the camera. The contrast of the subject is very high, this light alone is difficult to use but can be used as a light effect to add depth to the image.

Light from above

The light source is located high up on the subject, it is a very useful direction in photography, can create shadows that well describe the texture of the subject. In this position is often used with success a large softbox to light evenly throughout the set and brighten the shadows.

Light from below

The light source is located below the subject, it is an unnatural light, hardly a subject in nature receives light from below. Is used infrequently, but can be useful for obtaining depth effects or to eliminate shadows on a plane translucent.

The light can be changed or not, varying on its softness, we now see the types of light according to this criterion. The direct light is produced by a lamp without filters, however, it is customary to soften the light. The Fresnel lens produces a beam of light that you can focus and then narrow down the area of the set that you want to light.