Experiments in Lighting at ASUC Art Studio

I moved to Brazil!

2011-07-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hello you fabulous photographers!
Just wanted to say hello from Sao Paulo!
I've updated my fine art web site and made a new site only for photography.
Have a look!
Hope you are all great!

Art: http://www.jessicarosen.com/
Photography: http://www.jessicarosenphoto.com/

redwoods and bridges

2009-08-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Natural lighting plus flash, @ Muir Woods and Muir Beach

Final Project - Staff Picture Day

2009-08-18T17:46:00.001-07:00

JimSean

Kate

Erik

Robby

Cheri

Faheema

This one is just for fun. Enjoy.

People in White - Hieu Ngo

2009-08-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

Look at Me

2009-08-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

Mannequins are the most well-behaved models.

Summer in the Bay

2009-08-17T22:32:00.001-07:00

Lighting Project

2009-08-16T11:13:00.001-07:00

Instead of trying to select a few images or uploading all of the images... I made a collage of images that I took for my project. All of the pictures are taken with the same setup, using one off camera flash into a soft silver reflective umbrella, outside in a redwood forest, during a family picnic : )

Assignment 4: Olivia

2009-08-11T13:09:00.001-07:00

Portrait

2009-08-11T12:55:00.001-07:00

Assignment #4 Hieu Ngo

2009-08-11T12:34:00.001-07:00

Assignment #4, from Carla

2009-08-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

All photos were taken at f/22, 1 sec. because my camera didn't like the sync cord and I had to trip the flash manually.

Week 5: The development of a project

2009-08-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

Today we will discuss the development of our final projects.
Using all the lighting skills we have learned over the past 5 weeks- we will now put these skills to use...
We will be looking at these photographers to see how they develop a methodology for working and their relationships to their subject matter:

-Sally Mann:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4883372460714014863

http://www.sallymann.org/

-Nan Goldin

-Reineke Dijkstre
http://photography-now.net/rineke_dijkstra/portfolio1.html

-Vik Muniz:
http://www.renabranstengallery.com/muniz.html

-Riitta Päiväläinen
http://www.helsinkischool.fi/helsinkischool/artist.php?id=9033

-Nikki S. Lee

four

2009-08-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Assignment #4 Studio Stobes

2009-08-10T18:25:00.001-07:00

I used speedlights, not studio stobes, but I did use a light meter to determine the correct setting for the front softbox (f/13) and the hairlight f/16.5). All shot at 1/125, f/13, ISO 200 (Oh yeah, I had a 1/4 CTO on the speedlight in the softbox)

2009-08-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

helped a writer friend with some 'author shots.' I wasn't super happy with the backdrop and wondered what I could have done to perhaps make the background less sharp.

Studio Lighting for Reals - f.a.h.e.e.m.a.

2009-08-07T22:05:00.001-07:00

(super fun!)

ISO: 100
Shutter Speed: 125 - 320
f stop: f11 - f16

Studio Lighting Class Demo - f.a.h.e.e.m.a.

2009-08-05T00:34:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to put something up just in case I didn't get a chance to shoot later.

Week 5: STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-08-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here we go! In the studio for real!
Lets look at some photographers who helped to shape this genre...

Irving Penn
b.1917
http://photography-now.net/irving_penn/

Article about Penn by John Szarkowski
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/P/penn/penn_articles3.html

George Hurrell
(1904-1992)
http://www.hurrellestatecollection.com/gallery.html

Flash

2009-08-04T11:28:00.001-07:00

Assignment #3, from Carla

2009-08-04T00:46:00.000-07:00

Shot 1: Auto mode w/ flash

Shot 2: Correct exposure for ambient light (8 sec., 3.5),

no flash

Shot 3: 8 sec., 3.5

flash

(cool weird streaks of light through his hair)

Shot 4: Underexposing (4 sec., 3.5)

flash

Shot 5: More underexposing (2 sec., 3.5)

flash

2009-08-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

Automatic Flash

Ambient Light

Ambient With Flash

Outdoor light only

Outdoor + flash

Assignment #3 Flash

2009-08-04T00:23:00.001-07:00

So, I felt a little bad about using too many older photos, so I did some today : ) I wanted to learn how to use the flash to overpower the sun.

Shot in full Auto (ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/200) no flash, but there is reflected sun off the umbrella

With off camera flash, stopped down (ISO 400, f/22, 1/200, Flash on manual 1/2 power)

Exposed for ambient light, no flash (ISO 100 f/2.2, 1/8 sec.) I forgot to turn the flash on ; )
Same exposure, with fill flash

On an overcast SF day, with off camera fill flash (This one is actually from this past week ; ) (ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/125 sec.)
Bulb exposure with the use of the multiple flashes (ISO 100, f/11, 12 sec.)

Assignment #3 Hieu Ngo

2009-08-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

Inside no flash

Inside with flash

Outside no flash

Outside with flash

three

2009-08-03T21:31:00.001-07:00

ambient light

automatic flash

ambient light with flash fill

Assignment 3: Olivia

2009-08-03T19:29:00.001-07:00

Mixing flash and ambient during the day

Flash with ambient light

Auto setting

Ambient light only

(I forgot to take this with my subject and no flash)

Week 3: Flash Photography

2009-07-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the info from the class handout for this week...
You are welcome to play with the multiple exposure technique...but mainly I want you to focus on balancing flash with ambient light like we practiced in class.
Also try shooting a bracket (a range of exposures). See what the difference is when you under or over expose the background. (do this by adjusting your shutter speed while keeping the other settings constant)

Combining flash with ambient light indoors:
Use this technique to ensure proper lighting on your subject while maintaining the ambiance of the light in the room.
1. Set your camera to manual mode.
2. Set the camera to properly expose for the ambient light in the room.
3. Then manually turn on your flash while maintaining this exposure.

Using flash as “fill” outdoors:
Even when there is enough light outdoors to make a proper exposure, flash can be used to fill in the shadows on your subject and to make them “pop off” the background. (Similar technique to shooting indoors described above)
1. Set your camera to manual mode.
2. Set the camera to properly exposure for the ambient light outside / on your subject.
3. Manually turn on your flash while maintaining this exposure.

Multiple flash images:
Most consumer digital cameras do not have a setting for multiple exposures in a single frame (like most manual film cameras do). This technique allows you to re-create the effect of a “double exposure” using multiple flashes during a long exposure. (some trial and error may be necessary to find proper exposure)
1. Use a tripod and frame up your shot.
2.Set your camera for an exposure anywhere between 10-30 seconds and use a small aperture, like 16 or 22.
3. Before shooting, make sure all the lights are off in the room so that only your flash affects the exposure.
4. Using an external flash, pop your flash several times over the course of the exposure, moving around the elements in the frame between each flash.

Ben's Long-Distance Portraiture

2009-07-28T18:46:00.001-07:00

Shot 5

Shot 4

Shot 3

Shot 2

Shot 1

LIGHTING DEMO 3: FLASH

2009-07-28T13:47:00.002-07:00

Today we will explore the possibilities of flash photography.Primarily we will focus on combining flash with ambient light to enhance the lighting on the subject while maintaining the ambiance of the natural light.

OUTDOOR:
Even when there is enough light outdoors to make a proper exposure, flash can be used to fill in the shadows on your subject and to make them “pop off” the background.

INDOOR:
Here is an example of how/why to mix flash with ambient light indoors:

Mixing flash with ambient light: Giving good light on the subject while maintaining the ambiance of light in the room.

Using only flash: allows for proper exposure, but the light is a bit flat and the flash drowns out the natural ambiance in the room.

No Flash: Does not allow for proper light on the subject

Multiple Flashes in a single exposure:

This technique allows you to re-create the effect of "double exposure" by using multiple flashes during a long exposure.

Week 3: The Science of an Aesthetic

2009-07-28T13:47:00.001-07:00

This week we will talk about two projects that use 8x10" view cameras and a strict aesthetic methodology to develop to enhance the power of their imagery.

Bernd and Hilla Becher:
http://www.masters-of-fine-art-photography.com/artphotogallery/photographers/bernd_and_hilla_becher_01.html

Nicholas Nixon:
http://www.zabriskiegallery.com/Nixon/TBS/nixonimages.htm#3

Assignment #2 Portraits

2009-07-28T09:00:00.001-07:00

This is one way to make sure your model stays in the same place while shooting.... : )

His expression is probably in response to the crazy faces and noises I was making to get him to look toward the camera.

Shot #1 Side light
Shot #2 Fill card
Shot #3 Front Light
Shot #4 Hair (or lack there of) Light
Shot #5 No Background*
* shot #5 had some light spill from the hairlight, so I took some liberties with Photoshop ; )

two

2009-07-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

shot #1

shot #2

shot #3

shot #4

shot #5

Assignment #2 Hieu Ngo

2009-07-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Publish Post

Shot #5

Shot #4

Shot #3

Shot #2

Shot #1

Publish Post

Assignment #2 from Hue

2009-07-28T08:19:00.001-07:00

This is my friend Noelle Nakama

She is a ceramicist, all the photo is taken in her studio in Oakland.

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

portraits

2009-07-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

shot #1 (with two subjects)

Shot #1 (1 subject)

shot #2

shot#3

shot #4

shot #5

2009-07-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Assignment #2, from Carla

2009-07-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Note to self: Try not to schedule your model at the end of a long day. My poor boyfriend was dying to get some shut-eye but he stuck it through the hot lights and posing directions like a good sport.

Shot #1

Shot #2

Shot #3

Shot #4

Shot #5

2009-07-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Playing with different exposure times:

Short

Medium

Long

Playing with light:

Lights

2009-07-21T16:18:00.002-07:00

Lights

2009-07-21T16:18:00.001-07:00

Lights

2009-07-21T16:16:00.001-07:00

Lights

2009-07-21T16:15:00.001-07:00

Second Class Assignment: Studio Lighting for Portraiture

2009-07-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Shot list:
Using three clamp lamps and a fill card please create the 5 following lighting scenarios:
Please shoot, upload and number your shots in this order.

As we will discuss in class, I want you to truly create a portrait of an individual using these lighting scenarios.
In this type of set up there are a few key elements that you have to describe a person and their identity...I want you to be very intentional about each one:
clothing
location / background
props (optional)
pose and expression of the sitter

Shot # 1.
Background- 2 lights on either side
Front- 1 from the side of the subject

Shot # 2.
Background- 2 lights on either side
Front- 1 light from the side of the subject
Use a fill card on the opposite side of the front light to fill in shadows.

Shot #3.
Background- 2 lights on either side
front - from the front of the subject

Shot #4.
Background- 1 light from side
front- 1 light in front of subject
Hair light- 1 light from side, above and behind head

Shot#5.
Background- no lights
front- 1 light in front of subject
Hair light- 1 light from side, above and behind head

Second Class July, 21,2009: Portraiture

2009-07-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

We will be discussing the following photographers in class to give some historical context to the tradition of photographic portraiture:

AUGUST SANDER German, 1876-1964
http://photography-now.net/august_sander/portfolio1.html

with titles:
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/August_Sander/Germany_images.htm

Diane Arbus (14 March 1923 – 26 July 1971)
http://diane-arbus-photography.com/index.html

CINDY SHERMAN: (b. 1954- still living)

Portfolio:
http://www.metropicturesgallery.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=4

looking at her 2008 show at metro pictures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iEwQ5Npn-8

Ben's Light Painting

2009-07-21T01:42:00.001-07:00

Playing with some unlit candles.

Initial attempt at emoticons w/ a rice screen... not too successful.

Ben's Long Exposure

2009-07-21T01:35:00.000-07:00

Taken in the parking lot of the Crucible's Fire Arts Festival.

Long exposure near the RSF while walking home from last week's class.

Assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:46:00.001-07:00

National Geographic is enlightening!

The 3-headed ghost in my house

Ghostly internal conflict

posted by Carla

one

2009-07-20T23:34:00.001-07:00

light painting

long exposure

Assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

One transit rider...

assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:16:00.001-07:00

Assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:16:00.000-07:00

Same street corner...

Assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

A view up 24th street...

Assignment #1

2009-07-20T23:02:00.001-07:00

I took this picture as the Park Ranger waited for me to get the shot so that he can lock the gate for the evening. The park normally closes at 6 pm and it was after 9 pm when I got to the park. Needless to say I didn't have time to compose the picture. As soon as I set my tripod down, the ranger pulls up behind me, I thought he was going to arrest me for being there so late...

First Assignment / painting with light, etc.

2009-07-20T22:06:00.001-07:00

Here's a go...
First, the cheesy one. The fireplace in our home is never used. Except this once.

Berkeley pavement, post lawn sprinklers | Apres first Experiments in Lighting class

Fanning with a red flashlight

First Assignment

2009-07-19T23:55:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm 2nd : ) I tried a few different things...

I used matches
Small flashlight and my speedlight

Bulb exposure with speedlight on the tree
Another bulb exposure with a couple small lights and my speedlight in hand

First Assignment: Painting with Light from Hue

2009-07-19T20:15:00.001-07:00

I am the first one!!!
Here are two of my photos that I took after class
I hope I did my assignment right :-)

First Assignment: Painting with Light

2009-07-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Today we will learn to use this long exposure technique to (almost) literally paint with light.

Image Shot using on-camera flash

Image Shot using Light Painting Technique

Image Shot using Light Painting Techinique

FIRST CLASS MEETING: JULY 14, 2009

2009-07-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Experiments in Lighting at ASUC Art Studio

Today we are thinking about the work that goes into building a photograph and working with long exposure techniques. We will be looking at these two photographers and learning about the way they work as well as working on our own night photography.

Gregory Crewdson Interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RywAfP4KFcY

Todd Hido - Night Photography Interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg98qwI2Mio

http://www.toddhido.com/

A picture of pictures - Alka

2009-07-07T13:31:00.001-07:00

A picture of pictures (contd) - Alka

2009-07-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Multiple Exposure - Alka

2009-07-07T13:24:00.001-07:00

A Day int the Life of.... (Marina & Alex)

2009-07-07T10:58:00.001-07:00

AnnaS: Studio Lights

2009-06-30T18:28:00.001-07:00

The development of a project.

2009-06-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

Alex - Studio Light

2009-06-30T08:40:00.001-07:00

Marina: Studio light

2009-06-30T08:27:00.001-07:00

Strobe Experiments

2009-06-29T22:15:00.001-07:00

2009-06-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

Week 4: Studio Photography

2009-06-23T16:27:00.001-07:00

This week we are learning how to use studio strobes and techniques for lighting in the studio.
We will be discussing these two photographers who were famous for their studio photography both for portraiture and still life.

Irving Penn (American, b.1917)
http://photography-now.net/irving_penn/

Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946-1989)
http://photography-now.info/robert_mapplethorpe/index.html

Flash/Strobic Shots by Sierra

2009-06-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

2009-06-23T12:56:00.000-07:00

Annas: Playing with Flash

2009-06-23T00:54:00.000-07:00

Alex&Marina: Multiple flash

2009-06-22T22:57:00.001-07:00

Marina: Outdoor flash

2009-06-22T22:54:00.001-07:00

Alex - Outdoor Flash

2009-06-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Samy's portrait attempt

2009-06-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T18:08:00.002-07:00

2009-06-16T18:08:00.001-07:00

2009-06-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T17:42:00.002-07:00

2009-06-16T17:42:00.001-07:00

2009-06-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

3clamps by Anna

2009-06-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

2009-06-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Lighting Demo 3: Flash Photography (Continued)

Here is an example of how/why to mix flash with ambient light indoors:

Mixing flash with ambient light: Giving good light on the subject while maintaining the ambiance of light in the room.

Using only flash: allows for proper exposure, but the light is a bit flat and the flash drowns out the natural ambiance in the room.

No Flash: Does not allow for proper light on the subject

Multiple Flashes in a single exposure:

This technique allows you to re-create the effect of "double exposure" by using multiple flashes during a long exposure.

LIGHTING DEMO 3: FLASH

2009-06-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today we will explore the possibilities of flash photography.
Primarily we will focus on combining flash with ambient light to enhance the lighting on the subject while maintaining the ambiance of the natural light.

OUTDOORS:
Even when there is enough light outdoors to make a proper exposure, flash can be used to fill in the shadows on your subject and to make them “pop off” the background.

Combining flash with ambient light- using flash as fill

Only ambient light- no flash

Week 3: The Science of an Aesthetic

2009-06-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

This week we will talk about two projects that use 8x10" view cameras and a strict aesthetic methodology to develop to enhance the power of their imagery.

Bernd and Hilla Becher:
http://www.masters-of-fine-art-photography.com/artphotogallery/photographers/bernd_and_hilla_becher_01.html

Nicholas Nixon:
http://www.zabriskiegallery.com/Nixon/TBS/nixonimages.htm#3

2009-06-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Portrait Assignment

2009-06-15T23:05:00.001-07:00

Portraits - using three clamp-lights

2009-06-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Samy's Experiments

2009-06-09T15:18:00.001-07:00

Assignment #1 : Long Exposure by Sierra Jewell

2009-06-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

AnnS: Long Exposure and light painting

2009-06-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

Second Class: Portraiture

2009-06-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

We will be discussing the following photographers in class to give some historical context to the tradition of photographic portraiture:

AUGUST SANDER German, 1876-1964
http://photography-now.net/august_sander/portfolio1.html
with titles:
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/August_Sander/Germany_images.htm

Diane Arbus (14 March 1923 – 26 July 1971)
http://diane-arbus-photography.com/index.html

CINDY SHERMAN: (b. 1954- still living)

Portfolio:
http://www.metropicturesgallery.com/index.php?mode=artists&object_id=4

looking at her 2008 show at metro pictures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iEwQ5Npn-8

Second Class Assignment: Studio Lighting for Portraiture

2009-06-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

Shot # 1.
Background- 2 lights on either side
Front- 1 from the side of the subject

Shot # 2.
Background- 2 lights on either side
Front- 1 light from the side of the subject
Use a fill card on the opposite side of the front light to fill in shadows.

Shot #3.
Background- 2 lights on either side
front - from the front of the subject

Shot #4.
Background- 1 light from side
front- 1 light in front of subject
Hair light- 1 light from side, above and behind head

Shot#5.
Background- no lights
front- 1 light in front of subject
Hair light- 1 light from side, above and behind head

Alka - Night time, 10" exposure (ISO 200)

2009-06-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

Alka - Hand-held lamp, 1.3" exposure

2009-06-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

Alex - Long Exposures

2009-06-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Alex - Light Painting

2009-06-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Marina: Light painting

2009-06-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

Marina: Night time

2009-06-09T08:15:00.000-07:00