Have You Considered the “Arc of Beauty” in your lighting?
(Image by Tracy Sutherland)
We are going to take a high-level view of lighting today and discuss what I call the “Arc of Beauty“. And while no lighting scheme is going to be directly discussed, what we are to think about is a general tone of the light and what it does.
The “Arc of Beauty“
The Arc is backlight from side to full back. This lighting is one that I think of every time I get ready to do a still life, food, tabletop, or product shoot. It is a go-to lighting at the highest level.
What that means is I haven’t thought about whether it will be a softbox, or an umbrella, or a grid spot… I just want to get the benefits of back / side-back lighting established first.
And I do this usually with a boom or grid-held light instrument that allows me clean vision below it while keeping the light itself above and or behind the subject. While it can be done with a stand, the boom allows me to get the stand out of the picture from behind and not have to limit my angle in order to not see it.
Full on side light is also part of the arc of beauty. And remember, top down lighting is also side lighting since it is oblique to the camera.
Full Side Light is also within the Arc of Beauty and can provide some stunning textural and dimensional presentation.
The arc also extends vertically from lower than the subject to directly over top (also a ‘side light’ in angle from the camera.
From a full on back light oblique to the camera to top down light from above, the arc is also a vertical tool that can help with dimension, texture, color definition and more.
Why do I start here?
Because the tendency of front lighting is to make things flat. Dimension falls away, shadows fall away, and the overall texture is diminished as well.
Here are two shots to show you how it works from a small, intimate image to a large scene.
The pear and grape still life was shot on an 8 x 10 Deardorff and 14″ lens with Ektachrome 64 Transparency film. Light is from camera right and is a 24×36″ softbox shot through a 48×48″ scrim. The light is above the set.
Shot on Canon 6D / 24-105 MM at 30 MM. The back light gives texture to the sand, the wall and the sidewalk. It also creates a much more interesting set of shadows and shapes. Dimension and texture.
Bob Knill used a grid spot from the back.
Billy Walker chose side light to lift the details off of this head of lettuce.
Lisa Narduzzi chose a large soft light to bring out the texture and shape of her farm fresh beets.
Maciel Blaszczuk used a window light directly behind the bowl of onions for this iPhone shot.
James Kern uses light from the back right side to sculpt the texture and dimension of the assorted objects.
Soh Fong chose a diffused side light for her bananas in a corner of a small box.
Are there exceptions?
Absolutely. Shiny objects, liquid, situations where you WANT a flatter, less textural light. Of course there are exceptions and there are also some very talented photographers out there who choose front lighting as a stylistic difference for their work. They make killer images because they have worked with the technique long enough to know where and how to absolutely use it.
However that might be, we are talking about the bulk of our shooting approaches here.
To see it for your own self, set up something as a still life and move your softbox all around it as you make the photographs. You may have to add a little fill to the front (large white card perhaps) but shoot one with side light, back light, side/back light, low back light, high overhead backlight.
And shoot some with the light up front.
I believe you will see the difference and may help you think about your light in a bit of a different way.
Summer is here, and this is the time for more shooting, more portfolio building, and more list building for potential clients. This PROVEN system will help you on your way. These modules are free and there is a premium version on sale for a super deep discount you will read more about on the site. Build a great portfolio while you are building a client list that makes sense. Find Photo Clients NOW
This is the Portfolio Build Class for mid-level photographers. This is not a class for beginners, or for the more experienced photographers. This is a class for photographers working on their portfolio to make it more appealing to art directors, editors, and designers. More information and enrollment.
Your portfolio will be evaluated before acceptance. If you are not accepted, you will be instantly refunded the enrollment fee.
Have you wanted to take a look at the Project 52 workshop without committing for a year?
Well here is your chance. An 8 Week Project 52 Pro Membership is ready for you to get into – NOW. And it is the full deal. All of the resources, assignments, reviews, webinars and more are there for you to work with. This is NOT a truncated offer, but a full opportunity for you to take advantage of the most unique photographic workshop on the internet.
A Special “Portfolio Building” Workshop, Feb 11, 12: Only 3 Students
This is a special workshop for only three students. It is on short notice, but there is a reason for that - and it will be explained at a later date. Our focus will be on mastering images across a spectrum of genres. This workshop is for the serious photographer who...
Portraits: Four Simple Approaches
I had the chance to do some portraits of some of the talent we had at the LE Weekend Meetup. They were Briana's dance company and all of them were delightful and beautiful dancers. The folks who came had a blast and I was simply stunned that so many people came so far...
“Average is Over” or Why Good Enough Sucks
Thomas L Friedman, in a post today at the New York Times, says that "average is over." And he is right. It is. You can see it in industry and media and design and art. You can see it in nearly every area of business. Apple proved it. And Mercedes. And Braun....
“Winner Gets Me” Contest Winner is Regina Pagles
We have our winner. Regina Pagles will either be coming to my studio for a 2 day one-on-one or I will be going to hers. http://reginapaglesphotography.com/#/0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/reginapagles/ Regina lives in a very small town, Springdale, Utah: Population...
The Myths About Creativity – And The Consequences
Have you ever heard... That creative people are weird? That creativity is best created in a group? That creative people are sloppy, messy and disorganized? That creative people are always coming up with cool, but ultimately silly ideas? That only "creative" people can...
10 Simple Ideas for Creating a Sustainable Photography Business
It's one thing to get a shoot now and then, and another to create and sustain a commercial photography business. Here are a couple of thoughts for you to consider. 1. Get a hard edge to criticising your own work and make sure it is living up to your standards. Getting...
Changing Levels and Why Plateaus Are Dangerous
I started photography a long time ago. Longer than many of you, and not as long as some of you, but it was back when motor drives cost $5K, and we only printed black and white. On Fiber. Much of what I learned then has sustained me for decades, and I loved every...
Project 52, 2011 Edition, Comes to An End
Last evening critique for Project 52, 2011 Edition. Tonite was a special night. It was a year ago that we had our first meeting and what a year it has been. Some who started with us left for reasons of life and love. A few just evaporated into the ethos… and that was...
Project 52 Photographer Greg Kindred
Meet Greg Kindred. "I found project 52 January 3, 2011 as I read about the project I knew immediately that I would participate. As the assignments were given out I was challenged right away with photographing a stranger. Pros shoot strangers every day, but in my...
Project 52 Assignment Three is Posted
Assignment Three is a simple still life shot. "First – there is a difference between product shots and still life. Product shots show, well, products – tech or cooking utensils or cameras. A still life can be made up of items that are not for sale, but instead are...
Project 52 PRO Launched Today. Building a Business in Photography
Project 52 started last year as a way for photographers to get critiques and assignment in a real world setting. In a no BS arena of commercial insight and realistic assignments. On many forums discussions range from what kind of lights do I need to the best prices on...
BYU Gymnastics Calendar Shoot – BTS Video
This is a great little BTS series from the good folks up at BYU. Shooting dancers and gymnast is one of my favorite subjects, and they approached this with a very unique concept... gymnasts and water. "The idea was to highlight the shapes of the gymnasts performing...
Project 52 Photographer Greg Pastuzyn
Meet Greg Pastuzyn from New Jersey. Greg attended my last New York Workshop, and hosted one of our Wednesday evening chats from his home. Greg has been working with Project 52 for a while now. "I was introduced to Project 52 through Don's blog Lighting Essentials. At...
Preparing a Game Plan for 2012
Looking to start the year off right? Great. We all feel a little bit of a spring in the step and some empowerment at the first of the year. So let's get a game plan going... something not as fleshed out as a marketing plan, and not as whimpy as a resolution. A plan....
Project 52 Photographer Charles Tibbs
Charles Tibbs, Phoenix photographer weighs in on his experience with Project 52. "First I want to thank Don for taking so much time out of his busy life to teach and mentor us for an entire year, this just tells you how passionate he is about what he does. Where do I...
Feature Article in Rangefinder: July 2010
My friend Bill Millios wrote a nice article on me and the good folks at Rangefinder ran it in their prestigious July "Portait" issue. Bill and I chatted down in Mexico during a workshop, and his piece accurately reflected my teaching beliefs, as well as other thoughts...
Take This Photograph, It’s FREE! Free is GOOD!
So I get a tweet 'alerting' me to this interesting argument. This photographer says his photograph is not free: From PetaPixel: "As someone mentioned, THIS single photo didn’t cost me $6,612, but if you wanted to create it, from scratch, that is what is involved. So I...
Project 52 Photographer James Eisele
Say hello to James Eisele, a 'project 52' photographer in Florida. "While project 52 was challenging, I didn't feel it was overwhelming, even though it frequently forced me out of my comfort zone with assignments that were different than anything I'd shot previously....
Macro 4/3 Cameras Get A Pair of New, Fast Primes
These look pretty cool. "As of now, photographers with Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras and Sony NEX-series cameras have the choice to couple a pair of sharp Sigma F2.8 primes to the go-everywhere cameras. These two prime lenses for Micro Four Thirds...
Project 52 Photographer Terri Jacobson
Photographer Terri Jacobson checks in with her assessment of Project 52. "Only 52 photos In the beginning I was a point and shoot kinda girl. All I ever needed was the little green box on my Canon dial. In 2010 I began the 365 photo a day project completing it...
Judges Announced for the Wacky Winner Gets Me Contest
We had twenty five entries to the wacky contest. I have four intrepid judges working on the judging process now. Selina Maitreya Photographer Consultant Extraordinaire Site Rosh Sillars Photographer / Social Media Expert Site Seshu Photographer, Entrepreneur Site...
Project 52 Photographer David Price
David Price checks in with this assessment of Project 52. "My thanks to Don Giannatti, whom I found as Wizwow on one of the lighting forums, and followed him to Lighting Essentials. What a terrific resource! When I first heard about Project 52, I wasn’t certain what...
Meet the NEW “Essentials for Photographers”
Lighting Essentials had run its course, name wise. It was not about lighting as much as it was about photography in general. Commercial photography specifically. And the name simply didn't leave room for more options for posting. There is a reason to the change up,...
Project 52 Photographer Tucker Joenz
Today we meet Tucker Joenz, a Project 52 alumni. "Project 52 challenges... A big challenge for me was getting back to the basics of lighting and learning how to apply that to create commercial images that will really captivate my audience, express the feelings that...