PROJECT #5b: LIGHT, Part 2 (Direct Side Light Portraits)

DIRECT SIDE LIGHT:

*NOTE: The shadow(s) for these portraits should be dark

1. The light should illuminate your subject from an obvious side/direction.

2. Make FIVE+ photographs with this method.

3. If using the same person for all five images, move the light (or the subject) so that each photo is illuminated differently. The differences might be slight, or dramatically obvious. Either way, you'll have a 'different' photo, and it is likely that one will be preferable over another (that's the point of doing multiples).

GENERAL NOTES:

*An obvious and distinctly dark shadow should be visible

**An obvious direction from where the light is emanating (FROM ONLY ONE SIDE)

Front light vs. Side light. CLICK HERE.

     

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PROJECT #5a: LIGHT, Part 1 (Silhouettes)

DIRECTIONS. 

Make 10+ different and creative silhouette (back light) photographs

Bring your 10+ silhouette photos to the first class after Thanksgiving break.



SILHOUETTES.
To create the silhouette effect, you must meter the exposure for the background (the brightest part of the image) and completely underexpose the foreground subject. When first learning silhouette photography sunrise and sunset are good times to practice because the sun can be positioned directly behind the subject you wish to underexpose. 

Be mindful of.

*Place your subject IN FRONT of the light source.
*Photograph from a dark place (or nighttime)...into the light
*ONE light source will give you greater success. 

*Use a person or pet as your subject matter. 
*Manipulate the position of the light (or yourself & subject) to achieve different cast shadows and highlights.

 METERING FOR SILHOUETTES.

To meter something means to tell the camera to measure light.

FIRST: 
Set the ISO a little lower than the light conditions need. (this will make the image slightly underexposed).

SECOND: 
1. On a phone camera, the metering happens when you tap the screen to lighten or darken your image. Tap the bright background light to make your subject in the middle become a silhouette. Then, take the picture.

2. On a (dedicated) camera, put your settings on AUTO for now (manual settings coming next).
Then, point the camera at the bright background and lightly press the shutter button to activate the light meter. Put your subject between you and the light. Then, snap the picture.

Silhouettes at The Atlantic. CLICK HERE.
Tips for killer silhouette photography. CLICK HERE.
50 examples. CLICK HERE.
How to photograph silhouettes. CLICK HERE.
Another how-to. CLICK HERE.

PROJECT #4: LEAVES (Ongoing - due Monday, Nov. 1)

DIRECTIONS FOR PHONE CAMERAS.

1. Make 18 images of fall leaves (9 of them macro)
2. Incorporate water/rain if possible.
3. Develop with:

• Brightness/Contrast
• Exposure
• Saturation
• Burn/Dodge
• Blur

DIRECTIONS FOR STAND-ALONE CAMERAS.
1. Set the ISO of your camera appropriately.
2. Set the WB of your camera appropriately.
3. Open the aperture wide (small f-stop number) if you want an out of focus background.

4. Use macro function for close up textures.

SITES FOR REFERENCE.
Oregon fall foliage site. CLICK HERE.
Place suggestions. CLICK HERE.
Tips for shooting fall foliage. CLICK HERE.
Extra Crunchy tips for photographing fall foliage. CLICK HERE.