Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 30

Thread: Still Life Lighting

  1. #11

    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Paris, France
    Posts
    273

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Quote Originally Posted by Harold_4074 View Post
    Why not just use window light?

    Not to speak for the original poster, but to possibly help any beginner in this genre:

    Window light is wonderful, properly handled, but it has the huge disadvantage of not remaining constant.
    Hi Harold,

    It depends. If you're making a very long exposure (as for a close up) the variance of the light can be proportionally minimal. It's also possible to diffuse (and therefore reduce) the light by taping tracing paper on the window, for example.

  2. #12

    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    173

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    If you use strobes and need more power, you can always double or triple your exposure (as long as the settings stay consistent and your subject and camera don't move at all).

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Denmark, Europe
    Posts
    2,165

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    why not try to paint with light? these examples are done with a 25 watt light bulb.. nothing else..
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails farve (15).jpg   farve (20).jpg   k-still3-life-m-dyrekranier.jpg   stil-01.jpg  

  4. #14
    8x10, 5x7, 4x5, et al Leigh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Maryland, USA
    Posts
    5,454

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Quote Originally Posted by Emil Schildt View Post
    why not try to paint with light? these examples are done with a 25 watt light bulb.. nothing else..
    But Emil...

    You could make a cardboard box look interesting.

    The OP is asking about techniques for normal mortals like us.

    - Leigh
    If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.

  5. #15

    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    650

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Christopher,

    I agree that diffusion of window light makes it easier to work with, but the larger problem is that it changes throughout the day, with the seasons, and with the weather; being able to process and proof a sheet of film and then trying to improve on the result (possibly after hours or days of consideration) pretty much demands artificial light.

    Personally, I'd love to have a studio with a large, north-facing glass wall, but since most of my photography is done at night, I'm not sure what the point would be

  6. #16

    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Posts
    173

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Quote Originally Posted by Emil Schildt View Post
    why not try to paint with light? these examples are done with a 25 watt light bulb.. nothing else..
    Amazing!

  7. #17

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Emil - beautiful work!

  8. #18

    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Dallas/Novosibirsk
    Posts
    2,205

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Quote Originally Posted by Leigh View Post
    But Emil...

    You could make a cardboard box look interesting.

    - Leigh
    pretty much. I never could nail painting with light properly, digital or film.. and Emil's work is so damn awesome...

  9. #19

    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Paris, France
    Posts
    273

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Quote Originally Posted by Harold_4074 View Post
    Christopher,

    I agree that diffusion of window light makes it easier to work with, but the larger problem is that it changes throughout the day, with the seasons, and with the weather; being able to process and proof a sheet of film and then trying to improve on the result (possibly after hours or days of consideration) pretty much demands artificial light.

    Personally, I'd love to have a studio with a large, north-facing glass wall, but since most of my photography is done at night, I'm not sure what the point would be
    Hi Harold,

    I'm not sure you're catching my point: You see, —unless you're photographing in direct, strong light— the fact that the light is changing during the day isn't at all a problem when you've got a bellows racked out to 20 inches with an opening of, say, f/32. If you arrange it so that your exposure time is long enough, you can even "burn" and "dodge" the subject! (a convoluted version of 'painting with light', as Emil so aptly does!).

    For me, a north, south, east or west facing window isn't a problem either. I have a good tripod, so even a small window on a cloudy day is all I need (as long as the window —vis a vis the subject— is in a good position!). Take a look at the image I posted. This was taken on such a day: completely gray and overcast. The window faced an enclosed courtyard.

    To assure detail in the highlights (I expected some overexposure in these zones), I developed in pyro.

  10. #20

    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    650

    Re: Still Life Lighting

    Christopher,

    I am sure that you missed the point I was trying to make. That is a lovely image that you posted; can you try it again with the pepper rotated a bit counterclockwise so that the mass is more centered above its resting place.....but do it tonight at about 10 PM your time?

Similar Threads

  1. Lighting equipment recommendations for still life
    By welly in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 21-Aug-2013, 15:22
  2. Lighting For Still Life and Portrait Photography
    By tgtaylor in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 21-Feb-2011, 10:08
  3. Lighting Books for Still Life & Portraits
    By Gerry Harrison in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 24-Oct-2006, 08:29
  4. Lighting for still life - where to start?!?!
    By Gavin Walker in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 25-Sep-2001, 08:27

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •