In an on-going series aimed at finite techniques to perfect in order to become a well-rounded photographer, this second set focuses more on light. The first part was a bit broad and encompassed several techniques used in one shot, for this we’ll simplify things, and prove that simple doesn’t mean uncomplicated or non-complex.
Clean Studio Product Shot
This beautiful product shot was done with a simple two-light setup, fully detailed and explained here. Studio product shots are important to have in your portfolio for a number of reasons, one of which is they can actually help sell your photography products. If you are primarily a wedding photographer and part of your package includes photo books, you should be capable of shooting very nice, well lit examples of your book. A quick snap-shot will not do when you charge several hundred for a book. Product shots also teach control and restraint with lighting and angles, as well as product placement and setup.
Silhouettes
Photo By Garry – www.visionandimagination.com
There seems to be a rash of blogs about how to maximize the use of off camera, on-location flash, and there surely is a time and place for it. In a photo like this, it takes a bit more restraint, but I think the final product featuring the bleak, dark silhouette is far more striking than had it been lit with an off-axis light. In situations like this great example, natural light combined with some thought about the final product proves to be the best result.
Rear Curtain Flash Sync
Digital cameras and flashes are full of all kinds of neat functions and features, most of which are hidden. One that I fell in love with years ago was the rear curtain flash sync. This custom flash (and for some bodies it’s a function too) is designed to allow motion to become blurred in a specific way, yet still utilize the flash to stop a portion of the frame. This technique utilizes a longer shutter speed combined with the flash firing as the camera’s curtain closes, rather than opens, thus freezing the last portion of the photo. This photo is 10 seconds long, had the flash been fired right when the shutter opened the two men would be blurry from movement over the remaining 9.9 or so seconds. Because the shutter was left open for the first 9.9 seconds it allowed the light to blur from their movements and the flash during the last 1/10th of a second froze and exposed them perfectly. It’s a difficult technique to master with on or off camera flashes but the results for sporting events, including motorsports at night are amazing.
Without light, we can’t photograph. It’s how we choose to utilize, maximize and create light, combined with our vision that makes us photographers. These three examples show the variance of what light can be used for and it’s essential to understand the concepts of all in order to progress as a photographer.
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