Light Photography

1) EXPOSURE COMPENSATION LESSON

2) MANUAL MODE REVIEW

3) LIGHT WRITING TUTORIAL

4) PROJECT 7: LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

1) EXPOSURE COMPENSATION LESSON

Exposure compensation is the act of deliberately altering exposure from the value suggested by the camera to make pictures brighter or darker. Although in P, S, and A modes, the camera automatically adjusts exposure, the value it selects may not always produce the results you intend. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to exposure, and you may find that a brighter or darker image is closer to what you intend. If this is the case, use exposure compensation.

"EV" stands for Exposure Value, and is measured in stops of light (a stop being a doubling or halving of the amount of light entering the camera). See how exposure compensation works to brighten or darken an image from what how the camera originally exposed it:

Ultimately, YOU are the judge of what looks best, not the camera. So use this feature whenever the camera's default settings aren't getting the job done. Just be sure to re-set your settings afterwards so the next camera user isn't stuck with your settings! 

2) MANUAL MODE REVIEW

You must have a good understanding of how to shoot in Manual mode (M) in order to successfully complete this project. Please review this topic HERE if needed.

For our purposes, your goal will be to write a word or symbol/drawing and photograph it in such a way that we see a completely black image except for the light writing.

Recommended starting settings:

- M (Manual Mode)

- Shutter speed of 8-10".

- Aperture of f/16.

- ISO of 100 (Lo).

- A dark room

How to photograph light writing:

- Set your camera up on a tripod

- Have a light source (phone flashlight works fine) for your subject

- Dial in the settings listed above

- Focus your camera on where your subject will be writing.

- Switch the focus to M on your lens.

- Turn off the lights in the room.

- Take the exposure! Your subject is doing the real work now.

Troubleshooting / Adjusting:

- If your subject didn't have enough time to finish their drawing, lengthen the shutter speed.

- If your subject had way too much time to finish their drawing, shorten the shutter speed.

- If your image is too bright, change your aperture to a higher F-stop value or speed up the shutter.

- If your image is too dark, change your aperture to a lower F-stop value or slow the shutter.

- If the drawing/image is composed in an unsatisfying way, re-position the camera (or your subject) to better frame the next image.

- Try this many times! It takes practice on your subject's part to successfully draw a neat pattern / word.

PRO TIP

If you want to colour your light, just put some invisible tape on top of your light source and draw on the tape with a marker. To intensify the colour, apply several layers of tape + marker on top of one another.

4) PROJECT: LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

You are to submit a small portfolio of images that each demonstrate a different kind of light photography. All images are to be shot in a dark room. Follow the shot list below:

1) Light Writing / Drawing

Photograph someone drawing or writing a word or image. Instructions above. Must shoot in M (Manual) mode.

2) Candle Photography

Shoot a well-exposed image of a single tealight candle. Shoot in P, S, or A mode. Consider using exposure compensation to ensure the bright light isn't "blown out" in the image.

3) LED Candle Photography

Shoot an image of a scene composed of multiple LED candles. Shoot in P, S, or A mode, and use exposure compensation if needed. Arrange them in an artistic or interesting way!

4) Mini-lights Zoom Photography

Use the Zoom technique (review the Zooming lesson first!) to capture amazing zoom lines radiating outwards from a set of mini-lights. You can either shoot a cluster of lights on a table/floor or use the set hanging on the wall in the guitar room. Consider longer shutter speeds for more dramatic zoom lines! Must shoot in S mode.

TO HAND IN:

2) Upload all images directly to CLASSROOM.

3) Complete the self-evaluation rubric in Classroom, and log your metadata into the rubric.

4) TURN IN in Classroom.