Focus On Lighting Photos Focus on the Fundamentals.pdf

The first step is to figure out
where the family of angles is.
Because direct reflection only
occurs within a small family of
angles, the choice of where to put
the light is limited. This actually
makes it easier for the photographer
to get it right quickly. The
placement of the light and the
camera in relation to the metal is
automatically limited. If you want
a specific camera viewpoint, then
as you’ll see, the light placement
is fairly predetermined.
Start by placing your diffusion
material behind the subject. Point
a simple test light (it could be a
flashlight) at the metal from the
camera position. You’d like the
light source to be narrow enough
to illuminate the metal and not
the surrounding elements. Point
it to the portion of the metal that
you want to light and note where
the light is bounced back to your
diffusion material. If your light
source is small, you may need to
point to the top part first; note
where it reflects back onto the
diffusion material. Then move
to the bottom and do the same.
Assuming you want bright metal,
your main light will have to be
placed so it completely fills this
family of angles. If it doesn’t, you
will either get dark or uneven
lighting. If you are aiming for
dark metal, your light has to be
placed outside of the family of
angles. Simple as that.
Don’t fear metal!
It’s actually pretty
straightforward.
So, Where Do We Put This Light for Metal? 143