Module Three
Lighting Dark-field Glass
Embedded Files
Module THREE - Overview
Module THREE - Overview
Estimated time to complete this module: 30 minutes
Estimated time to complete Assignment 1 - Glass: 90 minutes
Hello!
Great job in studio class last week! To be completely transparent, this week, we will continue our exploration of glass.
By the end of this module, you will be able to light glass on dark backgrounds.
This module has three components:
A theory lesson to review the Zone System.
A lighting tutorial to demonstrate the lighting technique you will use in class.
A creative lesson to explore aspect ratios.Â
Please scroll down to navigate through the module. If you have any questions, please book a meeting during office hours.
See you in the studio!
Tracy
Week Three - Agenda
Week Three - Agenda
Before Class:
Before Class:
Online - Module Three
Online - Module Three
Theory & Practical - Lighting for Dark-field glass
Review questions
Creative - Aspect Ratios
Jamboard collaborative activity
During Class:
During Class:
Studio
Studio
Light placement and metering for Dark-field glass
Complete In Class Exercise 3 - Dark-field glass
In-progress critique and feedback for students who attend class.
Submit work for written assessment if you are unable to attend class.
After Class:
After Class:
Studio & Online
Studio & Online
Plan, shoot and submit Assignment 1.Â
Online critique of Assignment 1 - Glass on Instagram using the hashtag #algmakeasplash2023
Before Class
Before Class
Theory: Lighting Dark-field Glass
Theory: Lighting Dark-field Glass
Continuing our exploration of how to light glass, the slides below will explain how to light glass on dark backgrounds. This technique also uses the Zone System to determine the tonal value of the background. The Zone System calculator to the right will help you with the interactive question on slide 11.
Dark-field Glass lighting tutorial
Dark-field Glass lighting tutorial
Creative: Aspect ratios
Creative: Aspect ratios
Proportions
Proportions
The end purpose of your photograph will determine the shape of the image. This information informs how you compose your image. Some clients require images to fit various dimensions and purposes to make it more complicated.Â
Traditionally portrait photographers often compose with standard print dimensions in mind, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 or 16x20, and become very good at estimating the amount of space they need to leave themselves to crop the final image.Â
Aspect ratios
Aspect ratios
Aspect ratio setting in Capture One
An aspect ratio is a relationship between an image's horizontal and vertical measures with the horizontal value placed first (i.e., 3:2). It provides a crop dimension that is scaleable and independent of the actual size of the image.
Capture One uses aspect ratios to crop your image, allowing you to compose within the dimensions of your final size independent of the actual output size. Standard aspect ratios come pre-loaded, with the option to create custom ones based on the specification of a client or job.Â
Starbucks Case Study - 2017
Starbucks Case Study - 2017
Starbucks Facebook banner 2017
Unlike portrait photography, commercial work lacks standard output dimension; often, proportions change for each job. Accommodation for type or copy (text placed over the image) is often needed. Shooting the correct proportion is essential when working on a commercial photography job. Submitting an image requiring squeezing to fit the given dimension would be unacceptable. In addition, due to cross-platform advertising and repurposing of content, some photos are used in print, web, and social media platforms.
Starbucks online coupon
Starbucks website banner
Starbucks in-store signage - Ottawa, ON
For this reason, commercial photography jobs require a good deal of preplanning and communication between the client, art director and photographer.
Media created for different platforms is collectively called “Content.” Ensuring that the content is consistent across multiple platforms follows the concept of brand consistency or branding.
How does this affect photographers?
How does this affect photographers?
Depending on the job you are working on, multiple layouts may accommodate the use of the image on various platforms.
Called repurposing, it has become a more significant factor as more companies become brand savvy, realizing the power and cost-saving of a strong, consistent message.Â
Starbucks is just one company that uses this technique. During their 2017 campaign illustrated above, Starbucks repurposed the same image for print advertising, signage, social media, website etc. The proportions in each case change, meaning the image was photographed with multiple dimensions in mind.
Instagram - aspect ratios
Instagram - aspect ratios
Photographers can create images with repurposing in mind, but to do so requires additional care.Â
Instagram is an excellent example of how one end purpose can have various aspect ratios. Creating content for Instagram involves determining how you want the image to look in the grid (square) or when viewed as a post. Not included are the various other aspect ratios used for stories and reels.
Click the crop icon to the right for more info on each aspect ratio.
Aspect ratio activity - jamboard
Aspect ratio activity - jamboard
To visualize how aspect ratio can impact your final image, crop one image from In Class 2 - Bright-field Glass in Photoshop using 1:1, 4:5, and 1.91:1 aspect ratios.
Share the photos on the Jamboard, identifying each ratio.
Briefly reflect on the impact of cropping to these aspect ratios. Would you have composed the image differently?
We will discuss the results during your class this week.
During Class
During Class
Below are the instructions for In Class Exercise 3 - Dark-field Glass which you will complete during your Week 3 class. Due dates for each section are posted on Brightspace.
in class exercise 3 - dark-field glass
in class exercise 3 - dark-field glass
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
Laptop
Tripod
Minolta meter
Appropriately chosen focal length lens
Passport colour checker
DSLR or Mirrorless camera
Tethering cable
2 Pocket wizards
Speedotron lightingÂ
Studio grip
Black velvet
Cotton glovesÂ
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
To practice photographing glass objects using the Dark-field lighting technique for glass.
To practice photographing glass objects using the Dark-field lighting technique for glass.
SHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
SHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
Choose a glass object from the prop room. Clean glass and remove dust before shooting.
Create one photograph using the Dark-field lighting technique. Photograph and apply a colour checker image to set the white balance.
You will have your class time to complete this during Week 3. You can book the studio after hours if you need additional time.
DELIVERABLES
DELIVERABLES
During class:
Show your professor for feedback and grading. You do not need to submit the work if assessed during class time.
Outside class:
Submit your two .eip files to the assignment folder on Brightspace by the due date.
Naming convention: lastname initial IC3 DFGlass 001.eip
Rubric Available on Brightspace
Value 5%
After Class
After Class
Below are the instructions for Assignment 1 - Lighting Glass which you will have two weeks to complete outside of class time. Due dates for each section are posted on Brightspace.
assignment 1 - lighting glass
assignment 1 - lighting glass
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
Laptop
Tripod
Minolta meter
Appropriately chosen focal length lens
Passport colour checker
DSLR or Mirrorless camera
Tethering cable
2 Pocket wizards
Speedotron lightingÂ
Studio grip
Black velvet
Cotton glovesÂ
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
Produce photographs of glass or crystal objects using appropriate lighting techniques. Compose images for a specific end purpose.
Produce photographs of glass or crystal objects using appropriate lighting techniques. Compose images for a specific end purpose.
ART DIRECTIONS
ART DIRECTIONS
Choose two (2) interesting glass or crystal subjects. Because you will be backlighting, avoid using opaque props unless they look well when silhouetted; translucent or semi-translucent work best. The props used must be relevant to the image being created. Liquid props can be used to create a splash. Clean glass and remove dust before shooting.
Choose two (2) interesting glass or crystal subjects. Because you will be backlighting, avoid using opaque props unless they look well when silhouetted; translucent or semi-translucent work best. The props used must be relevant to the image being created. Liquid props can be used to create a splash. Clean glass and remove dust before shooting.
Do not use dark, heavily coloured, or frosted glass - transparent or clear glass only.
Do not use dark, heavily coloured, or frosted glass - transparent or clear glass only.
SHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
SHOOTING INSTRUCTIONS
As shown during demo videos and In Class Exercises Two and Three:
Light one photo using Darkfield Lighting.
Light one photo using Brightfield Lighting.
Photograph, apply, and submit a colour checker image for each lighting setup. If you use the same lighting setup for both shots, you only need to submit one colour checker image.
Compose your images based on one of the three Instagram aspect ratios.
DELIVERABLES
DELIVERABLES
Submit your final .eip files (approx. 3-4 total) to the assignment folder on Brightspace by the due date.
Naming convention: lastname initial A1 Glass 001.eip
Post your favourite image of the two to Instagram using the #algmakeasplash2023 hashtag. Information on the Critique is available below.
Rubric Available on Brightspace
Value 10%
post, like, share - Assignment 1 critique
post, like, share - Assignment 1 critique
Once you have finished and submitted Assignment 1 - Glass, post your favourite image to Instagram using the hashtag #algmakeasplash2023. Follow the hashtag, and make a constructive comment on one of your classmate's work.
If you do not feel comfortable posting on Instagram, please share your work to the Discussion post on Brightspace and comment on a classmate's work there.
For reference, you can view work completed by students last year at #algmakeasplash2022.
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