Studio Photography Essential Skills, 4th Edition P7

Studio Photography: Essential Skills Light sources Flash There are numerous flash equivalents of the two standard artificial light sources, floodlight and spotlight. They have a color temperature of 5500K to 5800K and are balanced to daylight. Despite the names, swimming pool, soft box, fish fryer, honeycomb, etc., they are really only larger or smaller versions of a diffuse light source. The use of an open flash (direct light to subject without diffusion) will give the same effect as a spotlight. Most brands have focusing capabilities and the range of attachments available used to control intensity, quality and shape exist in one form or another for use with either flash or tungsten. The majority of studio flash systems consist of a power pack, flash head and flash head attachments. Tungsten modelling lights built into the flash heads are used to determine the direction and quality of the light prior to exposure. An average flash system with an output of 5000 joules would be suitable for the purposes of this study guide. Compared to tungsten, flash equipment is lightweight and versatile. However, buy the most robust equipment you can afford. Keep a stock of modelling globes and exercise caution when handling the flash heads, power pack and power supply. Never touch the flash head or disconnect the leads unless the power pack is fully discharged and the power supply switched off. See ‘Using light’. Tungsten There are many variations of the two basic tungsten light sources, floodlight and spotlight. The majority have a color temperature of 3200K to 3400K and are balanced to tungsten. The minimum requirement to teach and learn the use of tungsten light would be a single floodlight and a single spotlight. A simple floodlight would have an output of 500 watts and a spotlight suitable for the purposes of this study guide an output of 650 watts. Purchase the most robust lights and stands you can afford within the output range mentioned above. Keep a stock of spare globes and exercise caution when handling the lights and the power supply. If possible all light stands should have wheels to ensure ease of movement and to reduce vibration when moving a light. Professional spotlights come with barn doors and nets. Barn doors are metal flaps used to control the shape and amount of light falling on the subject. Nets are pieces of wire gauze of varying densities that reduce the output of the light by diffusing the light at its source without greatly affecting the shadows. Tungsten floodlight Tungsten spotlight 52 The studio Equipment detail Tripod A large format camera should always be on a tripod. With a small or medium format camera with exposures longer than 1/60 second, it is advisable to use a tripod. It is not necessary to buy an expensive studio tripod. A heavy duty tripod that can be used in the studio as well as on location is suficient. Avoid the many lightweight tripods on the market as they will not be stable enough for long exposures. If the tripod is heavy and awkward to carry then it will probably be the right one for studio use. As well as adjustable legs, the tripod should have a head that locks firmly into position at any angle, a rising central column and spirit levels for vertical and horizontal alignment. Light meter Working in a studio where all light created is from an artificial source it is very important to have a reliable light meter. Next to a camera the light meter is the most important piece of photographic equipment you will own. To understand fully the effect of artificial light and lighting ratios a hand-held meter, capable of measuring both flash and tungsten, with an invercone and reflected light reading attachment is essential. See ‘Exposure’. Digital Digital images are stored either directly to a computer hard drive or as transferable data on memory cards. There are many different types manufactured but all are defined by their memory size. The greater the memory the more images the card contains. Memory cards are not specific to any color temperature as this can be controlled by adjustment of the white balance to the dominant light source at the time of capture or in post production when capturing Raw images. Film The range of film material available to the studio photographer is gradually diminishing as digital capture increases. Film can be divided into two types, negative and reversal (positive). Tungsten film (3200K) should be used with tungsten light. Daylight film (5500K) should be used with flash. Black and white film can be used with either light source. All film should be stored at a constant temperature, as specified by the manufacturer, preferably in a refrigerator. A special back manufactured to fit most cameras has to be attached to the camera in order to use instant film (Polaroid, Fuji). The advantage of this back is that the photograph is taken through the same lens as the final exposure onto film. Using a separate instant film camera may not give the same perspective or focal length. 18% gray card An 18% gray card is an exposure and color standard introduced by Kodak. It is important to remember all light meters assume the subject to be photographed, in order to give correct exposure, is 18% gray. This is referred to as a mid-tone or reflecting 18% of the light falling on it. See ‘Exposure’. 53 Studio Photography: Essential Skills First aid kit All workplaces must comply with local health and safety regulations. The studio environment is no exception. Ensure you know where the first aid kit is kept and how to use it, especially with relation to burns. It is imperative the kit is accessible at all times. Fire extinguisher Fire regulations may vary from state to state and country to country. Ideally a studio should have a heat activated sprinkler system installed. At the very least fire extinguishers should be installed and regularly serviced and maintained. Make sure the extinguisher is appropriate to the risk involved. Ensure you know where it is kept and how to use it. Support A system of reliable support mechanisms is essential for the safe operation of a studio. They can be permanent or made from components of the various systems available. These stands are commonly referred to as C-stands and come in varying sizes and stability. They can be used for almost any conceivable purpose to support any kind of material. In combination with gaffer tape and clamps an entire support mechanism can be created. Daniel Tückmantel Table top work bench A ideal surface on which to place most smaller subjects is a table top. Do not interpret this too literally. Any flat, elevated, mobile surface will do. Tool box A photographer will acquire so much ‘junk’ in the process of producing images that some type of storage facility will be required. Personal choice will determine what is used but a tool box is ideally suited to carry around gaffer tape, clamps, Stanley knife, scissors, Blu-tac, stop watch, heat resistant gloves, etc. 54 The studio Organisation The key word to eficient studio photography is organisation. Not only does organisation save time but in commercial practice money. Most people at some stage in their photographic career attempt to make money out of photography. To be paid for doing something you enjoy is most people’s dream. That dream can become hard work through lack of organisation. Organisation in a studio situation covers everything from the simplest task to the most complex. A well-organised studio will operate more eficiently. A place for everything and everything in its place. Look after and maintain your own equipment. Ensure it works when you most want it to. A tidy, clean studio is also a safer studio. In a studio situation where more than one photographer is working the unexpected will always occur, so be prepared. When working with lights be aware of your position in the studio in relation to others. Pre-shoot checklist Prior to any photographic assignment a photographer should carry out a simple checking procedure to ensure everything required to produce the photograph is available. √ Check availability of studio. √ Check availability of power to studio. √ Check camera equipment, lenses, lens hood. √ Check tripod. √ Check digital back/camera. √ Check digital back/camera power source. √ Check digital memory. √ Check computer interface and cabling. √ Check light meter. √ Check lighting equipment, spare lamps, cabling, distribution boards. √ Check availability of diffusion material, reflectors, cutters. √ Check availability of support mechanisms, table, C-stands, clamps, gaffer tape, etc. √ Check work area safety, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. √ Check contents of tool box. √ Check subject matter will be in the right place at the right time. Activity 3 Compile a list of the requirements you would need to photograph a dog in a studio environment. Itemise each piece of equipment, the quantity required, its source and availability. Compare and discuss until a comprehensive checklist has been achieved. 55 James Newman ... - tailieumienphi.vn