digital photography lighting

digital photography lighting

Digital cameras are becoming more and more sophisticated. On one hand they allow high quality automatic point and shoot. On the other hand they allow full manual control of their settings. Regardless of the mode you use there are some scenes that require special care. Without such care your digital photos will be of poor quality regardless of how sophisticated and automatic your camera is.

New digital cameras include sophisticated hardware and software that allow a simple point a shoot usage and result in high quality digital photos. Such high quality digital photos are achieved in most scenarios but in some scenarios solely relying on the cameras automatic feature is not enough. In such scenes the camera hardware and software will make the wrong decision as to the optimal camera setting for the best digital photo. The result will be a poor quality photo.

Being aware of such scenarios can help in avoiding such poor quality digital photos. When you identify such a scenario you can use some simple techniques, by manually setting the camera, by changing the photo shooting angle or by manipulating the scene.

One of the common problems with automatic digital camera photo shooting is digital photos that are overexposed. Overexposed digital photos have blown out areas and sometimes are completely saturated and white. Their color is not rich and the objects tend to look white and not “alive”. The reason for overexposed photos is setting the exposure too low. Although the camera can measure ambient light and make the exposure decisions for you it can be confused by scenes that are more complex. Many times such scenes do not really have one perfect exposure setting and the best exposure depends on the results and the objects in the scene that you care about the most.

For example if there is a very bright light source in the photo it can confuse the camera to believe that there is enough light in the scene for a low exposure setting. The result will be a photo that captures the bright area but darkens all the others. Usually you can assume that scenes that have extreme lighting gaps between different areas confuse the camera – for example if a quarter of the photo is very bright and the rest is very dark the camera is likely to set the wrong exposure. When you identify such cases you can manually set the exposure to the right value for the results you are looking for. Another options is to pan the camera a bit and point to a scene that does not have such light gaps (for example that does not have a very bright object in it) but that its objects are in the same focus distance as the scene you are planning to shoot. At that point you can press the shutter half way down (or use any other specific camera mechanism) in order to lock the camera focus and exposure settings. Once you have done that you can pan the camera back to the original scene and shoot the photo.

The best way to learn how to avoid overexposed digital photos is by experimenting and practicing. Try to find scenes that will confuse the digital camera into taking overexposed digital photos. Take a few digital photos using the camera automatic mode and review the results confirming the expected poor quality. Now correct the problem and take a few more photos. Review the new digital photos and make sure that indeed the overexposed digital photos problem is gone. Practicing in a controlled environment will help you be prepared to quickly and efficiently handle such scenes in real time photo shooting.A common photography problem: shaded objects in digital photos

Light Meter LX1010B,50,000 Lux Luxmeter with lcd display $8.18 The digital lux meter LX1010B can measure up to 50,000 lux, approximately 5,000 footcandles. It's used for checking the level of luminance, luminance is a measure of the amount of light falling on a surface. It is defined as: 'the density of the luminous flux incident on a surface'. It is the quotient of the luminous flux by the area of the surface when the latter is uniformly illuminate...

CowboyStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting $30.00 Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs. The total cost of ownership of a compact fluorescent lightbulb is typically substantially less than a standard light bulb that produces the same amount of light. Primary applications for compact fluorescent light bulbs include retail, hospitals, warehouses, workshops, churches, arena...

Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 85 watt CFL 5500K - daylight balanced pure white light - 4250 Lumens $20.63 This full spectrum light bulb creates daylight balanced lighting, is energy star compliant, and has a long life of cir. 10,000 hours with 4250 Lumens output; low energy consumption, used in light therapy for treating S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), for photo studio lights, or for starting plant growth. This is a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb. Fits all medium-base E27/E26 sockets. Dime...

Shoot Great Video with your Canon DSLR Camera (DVD) $29.99 REGION FREE DVD developed for new to intermediate photographers buying their first DSLR cameraIntended for the still photographer moving into video; learn skills and secrets to producing great videoCreates a solid understanding of the camera's features and controls and helps to unleash its potentialSample subjects are: shutter priority aperture priority/depth of field focus alternatives metering a...

Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX II/430EX II $19.98 This DVD uses the same material as our original 580 EX/430 EX DVD. Demonstrations of Speedlite operations have been updated to show the 580 EX II/430 EX II models. Your new EX II Speedlite from Canon can be the most powerful accessory in your camera bag! Understanding how the Speedlite's controls work is important, and this DVD takes you through its operations, step by step. Your host, Tim Mantoa...

Introduction to the Canon 5D Mark II/50D, Vol. 2: Advanced Topics $29.99 Take great pictures with your Canon 5D Mark II or 50D Push your creativity to the limits; create photographic images that up until now have existed only in your imagination This guide takes you through Canon's advanced features, and explains what they are, how they work, and how they can perform in real-world situations. Custom Functions: The 5D and the 50D are endlessly configurable. We go into d...

Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer (3295B002) $449.00 Canon...

Canon Pixma PRO9500MkII Inkjet Photo Printer (3298B002) $849.99 Canon...

Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 WebCam $79.99 Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 with Built-in mic / RightLight & RightSound Technology / High-Speed USB 2.0 / Intelligent Face-Tracking Package Content - Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 Camera, 6 foot USB Cable, Adjustable Base, QuickCam Software CD, Camera Set-up Guide, Audio Set-up Guide...

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On Target Photo Training: Volume 8 - Photo Lighting Part 2 In this "On Target Photo Training" volume we continue our discussion of light. Last time we covered hard light and how to work with it, this time we cover soft light, how to work with it - and when - and how to create and modify it.. This is the lighting most used in photo studios and no photographer should overlook this important topic.As a bonus...you will also learn how to make your own softbox...

Speedliter's Handbook: Learning to Craft Light with Canon Speedlites $25.98 For anyone new to flash photography or who has had a frustrating start with it Speedliter's Handbook is a fantastic in-depth resource. Packed with information presented in a clear and approachable how-to format, this book walksreaders through everything from the basics of light to advanced setups using Canon speedlites. Syl Arena starts out familiarizing the reader with how light works and covers...

Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It: Learn Step by Step How to Go from Empty Studio to Finished Image (Voices That Matter) $22.48 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, YOU’LL LEARN ALL THREE ASPECTS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE STUNNING PORTRAITS(HINT: IT’S NOT JUST THE LIGHTING)Scott Kelby, the world’s #1 best-selling author of photography books, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, and Publisher of the just-released Light It magazine, has reinvented how lighting books are written by finally reveali...

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Unfortunately there is no filter that will admit more light than what is available. If you can repeal the laws of physics you might be able to make such a filter.

In low-light photography lens speed is of the essence. If the maximum aperture on your lens is f3.5 then you are limited to that. Your only choice is to either invest in a very fast prime lens like a 50mm f1.4 or use a higher ISO.

Here is a hypothetical chart which shows, accurately, the relationship of lens speed and shutter speed at several ISO settings.

ISO 100
f1.4 @ 1/125
f2 @ 1/60
f2.8 @ 1/30
f3.5 @ 1/20
f4 @ 1/15

ISO 200
f1.4 @ 1/250
f2 @ 1/125
f2.8 @ 1/60
f3.5 @ 1/40
f4 @ 1/30

ISO 400
f1.4 @ 1/500
f2 @ 1/250
f2.8 @ 1/125
f3.5 @ ~1/80
f4 @ 1/60

ISO 800
f1.4 @ 1/1000
f2 @ 1/500
f2.8 @ 1/250
f3.5 @ ~1/160
f4 @ 1/125

The faster the lens the faster the shutter speed at a given ISO.

Light Meter LX1010B,50,000 Lux Luxmeter with lcd display $8.18 The digital lux meter LX1010B can measure up to 50,000 lux, approximately 5,000 footcandles. It's used for checking the level of luminance, luminance is a measure of the amount of light falling on a surface. It is defined as: 'the density of the luminous flux incident on a surface'. It is the quotient of the luminous flux by the area of the surface when the latter is uniformly illuminate...

CowboyStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting $30.00 Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard light bulbs. The total cost of ownership of a compact fluorescent lightbulb is typically substantially less than a standard light bulb that produces the same amount of light. Primary applications for compact fluorescent light bulbs include retail, hospitals, warehouses, workshops, churches, arena...

Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 85 watt CFL 5500K - daylight balanced pure white light - 4250 Lumens $20.63 This full spectrum light bulb creates daylight balanced lighting, is energy star compliant, and has a long life of cir. 10,000 hours with 4250 Lumens output; low energy consumption, used in light therapy for treating S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder), for photo studio lights, or for starting plant growth. This is a Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb. Fits all medium-base E27/E26 sockets. Dime...

Shoot Great Video with your Canon DSLR Camera (DVD) $29.99 REGION FREE DVD developed for new to intermediate photographers buying their first DSLR cameraIntended for the still photographer moving into video; learn skills and secrets to producing great videoCreates a solid understanding of the camera's features and controls and helps to unleash its potentialSample subjects are: shutter priority aperture priority/depth of field focus alternatives metering a...

Understanding the Canon Speedlite 580EX II/430EX II $19.98 This DVD uses the same material as our original 580 EX/430 EX DVD. Demonstrations of Speedlite operations have been updated to show the 580 EX II/430 EX II models. Your new EX II Speedlite from Canon can be the most powerful accessory in your camera bag! Understanding how the Speedlite's controls work is important, and this DVD takes you through its operations, step by step. Your host, Tim Mantoa...

Introduction to the Canon 5D Mark II/50D, Vol. 2: Advanced Topics $29.99 Take great pictures with your Canon 5D Mark II or 50D Push your creativity to the limits; create photographic images that up until now have existed only in your imagination This guide takes you through Canon's advanced features, and explains what they are, how they work, and how they can perform in real-world situations. Custom Functions: The 5D and the 50D are endlessly configurable. We go into d...

Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter $1.19 The 58mm UV Protector Filter is a wise initial investment. It can help protect your valuable investment from dust, moisture and scratches, which can lead to costly repairs. A UV filter not only minimizes the bluish cast sometimes found under daylight conditions, but is also the best available protection against accidental damage to the front element of your lens....

Neewer 110CM 43 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector $12.64 This 5 in 1 collapsible reflector disc Comes with translucent, silver, gold, white, and black five most popular surfaces. Packs into a zip packet. Folds into 12" carry pouch for easy to carry, durable and flexible steel spring frame insures easy spreading and closing. This reflector fits any standard reflector holders....

NEEWER® 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light, LED Light for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Panasonic,SONY, Samsung and Olympus Digital SLR Cameras $32.97 This super lightweight 160-piece-LED video light can be used in video taking. either for lights setup or supplement, the light intensity can be changed to offer professional effects. Specification: Input: DC 7.2V~8.4V Maximum Power: 9.6 W Color Temperature: 5400K (3200K/filter) Average Service Life: 50000 hours Luminous flux: 660 lm Runtime: 70-90mins Size: 141x62x150 mm Weight: 430g (with pack...

Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer (3295B002) $449.00 Canon...

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CB-2LV Digital Camera Charger $10 CB-2LV Digital Camera Charger