A Demonstration of Lighting

Techniques

Mark Pemberton

June 12, 2013

Equipment Used

• Nikon D700 DSLR

• Nikor 105 mm Lens

• Two SB900 flashes

I used Nikon’s Creative Lighting System to control the flashes. The flashes were

operated in manual mode with the D700’s popup flash acting in commander mode.

The same results could be achieved with an inexpensive camera using inexpensive

flashes (i.e.: Yongnuo) that would be triggered using a sync cord connected to the

camera body.

Camera

Table

Basic Setup and Layout

EggSB900 SB900

background

Aperature

Shutter Speed

Flash Power (%)

Zoom (mm)

Flash Power (%)

Zoom (mm)

Camera

Table

Side Lighting

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

off

NA

EggSB900 SB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

Background brightness

Camera

Table

Side Lighting

With Flag

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

off

NA

EggSB900 SB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

Background brightness

Flag

To keep light off

The background.

Flag prevents light from hitting Background, turning it from white to black.

Camera

Table

Side Lighting

With Reflector

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

off

NA

EggSB900 SB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

Reflector

Used to add fill light to

Shadow side of egg.

White reflector on the right, provides fill light to lighten the shadow on the egg.

Camera

Table

Side Lighting

With Front Fill Light

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

1/16

100 mm

SB900

Note:

Shadow on egg

SB900

Key or Main

Light

Fill Light

(Mounted above camera)

2 0

3 1

With the fill light at 1 f stop less power

Than the Main or Key light you achieve

a 3:1 lighting ratio between the lit and

shadow areas.

Side light Side light with front fill.

With the fill light at 1 f stop less power

Than the Main or Key light you achieve

a 3:1 lighting ratio between the lit and

shadow areas.

Camera

Table

Split Lighting

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

EggSB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

SB900

1/8

100 mm

Split Lighting

Split lighting is often

used for dramatic

effects.

Example of Split Lighting

Camera

Table

Split Lighting

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

Egg

SB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

SB900

1/8

100 mm

Camera View

Split Lighting

Changing the position of the lights controls the width of the shadow line.

Camera

Table

Split Lighting

Problems with lens flare

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

Note:

Light from right flash is shining into the

camera lens, causing flare.

1/8

100 mm

SB900SB900

Placing the lights too far back results in light shining into the lens and causing flare.

Camera

Table

Split Lighting

background

f 22

1/200

1/8

100 mm

Note:

Flag prevents light from entering

The camera lens, thus preventing flare..

SB900

1/8

100 mmSB900

Flag

Using a flag to prevent lens flare

Use a flag to block the light and prevent flare.

Flag should be located

just out of the camera’s

view.

Flag

Camera

Table

Front Lighting

background

f 22

1/200

0

NA

1/8

100 mm

SB900

Note:

Shadow cast by egg

Shadow on egg

Texture or detail on egg

SB900

Key or Main

Light

Front Lighting

Flat. Boring. No interesting shadows.

Diffuser

(softbox, umbrella)

1/1

100 mm

Using a diffuser to create soft light

f 22

1/200

Dividing line not as distinct.

Shadow is diffuse

Without Diffuser

Using a diffuser to soften shadows

Texture is softer