Basic Photography Course

302.187

useful range between highlights and shadows, in which
the film can record detail, must be established. This
useful range depends completely on the reflectance

range of the subject.

With most color films, this range between highlights

and shadows must be kept within five f/stops. This
means a ratio of about 32:1. Any area of the subject
(except specular highlights) that is outside of this range

is reproduced either too light or too dark in the final
picture. A reflected light meter can be used to find the
relationship between the useful or desired diffused
highlight and the darkest desired shadow. A difference
of two f/stops is a scene contrast of 4: 1; four stops is a

16:1 contrast. Most black-and-white film can record

both highlight and shadow detail when this range is not
greater than about six f/stops.

Painted Light

Painted light (fig. 6-11) is one of the best ways to

obtain even illumination and soft shadows. With this
type of lighting, only one light is used. The light is

moved constantly up and down and around the subject
and its background. Painted light is effective for
illuminating subjects made up of many smaller parts that

cast shadows onto adjacent parts, such as printed circuits
or the inside of a radio.

When you are using the painted light technique, the

exposure must be increased by a factor of 3. To
determine the painted light exposure, hold the light
stationary at the same distance it will be used from the
subject. Read the exposure with your light meter.
Multiply the exposure time indicated by the meter by 3,
the painted light factor.

Example:

With the light meter, you have determined

the exposure to be 6 seconds. Multiply the exposure
time, 6 seconds, by the painted light factor,
3 (6 x 3 = 18 seconds).

The minimum exposure time required when using
painted light is 10 seconds. An exposure of less than 10
seconds does not give the photographer enough time to
illuminate the subject evenly.

PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY

TECHNIQUES

Product photography requires patience and a keen

eye. The slightest change in lighting or subject
placement can add to or subtract dramatically from your
photograph. Pay particular attention to small details of
your photograph because this helps to provide sharp,

high-quality images with fine detail.

6-27

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> Figure 6-11.Using painted light. 302.187 useful range between highlights and shadows, in which the film can record detail, must be established. This useful range depends completely on the reflectance range of the subject. With most color films, this range between highlights and shadows must be kept within five f/stops. This means a ratio of about 32:1. Any area of the subject (except specular highlights) that is outside of this range is reproduced either too light or too dark in the final picture. A reflected light meter can be used to find the relationship between the useful or desired diffused highlight and the darkest desired shadow. A difference of two f/stops is a scene contrast of 4: 1; four stops is a 16:1 contrast. Most black-and-white film can record both highlight and shadow detail when this range is not greater than about six f/stops. Painted Light Painted light (fig. 6-11) is one of the best ways to obtain even illumination and soft shadows. With this type of lighting, only one light is used. The light is moved constantly up and down and around the subject and its background. Painted light is effective for illuminating subjects made up of many smaller parts that cast shadows onto adjacent parts, such as printed circuits or the inside of a radio. When you are using the painted light technique, the exposure must be increased by a factor of 3. To determine the painted light exposure, hold the light stationary at the same distance it will be used from the subject. Read the exposure with your light meter. Multiply the exposure time indicated by the meter by 3, the painted light factor. Example: With the light meter, you have determined the exposure to be 6 seconds. Multiply the exposure time, 6 seconds, by the painted light factor, 3 (6 x 3 = 18 seconds). The minimum exposure time required when using painted light is 10 seconds. An exposure of less than 10 seconds does not give the photographer enough time to illuminate the subject evenly. PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES Product photography requires patience and a keen eye. The slightest change in lighting or subject placement can add to or subtract dramatically from your photograph. Pay particular attention to small details of your photograph because this helps to provide sharp, high-quality images with fine detail. 6-27 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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