Questions tagged [lighting]

The use of extra lights, often flash units, in order to make up for a lack of light or to gain more creative control over the image.

The lighting tag covers the use of extra lights, often flash units, in order to make up for a lack of light or to gain more creative control over the image. It also covers questions about making the best use of natural lighting, and modifying and adapting both natural and artificial light to form the desired exposure.

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What is "dark field lighting" and why is it used?

I've seen the term "dark field lighting" a few times and was wondering why its used and how you do it? An example (by one of our members no less) http://www.flickr.com/photos/spqr_ca/5362714988/. Edit: My go at it, based on the answer (thanks!):
rfusca
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How can I best take photos of people in front of a Christmas tree using only available lighting?

I am taking a photo with a Canon 5D Mark IV indoors in front of a Christmas tree using only the available lighting of the room. I do not have a flash. I want to make sure that the subjects and the tree are in focus. What are the best settings for…
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How can I suspend something without seeing the wires?

I had an idea that will require suspending a small household object (a flashlight, in this case) off the ground. It weighs only a few pounds but will be part of the shot so I can't put it on top of anything. My questions: 1. Will fishing line…
HiredMind
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Why is my picture muddy looking?

I've noticed a lot of my pictures look muddy. They don't have very high contrast. I know I can post process some pictures, but what is the secret to having nice contrast in a picture?
Brig
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Learning Fundamental Lighting Concepts?

What are the best resources you have come across (preferably online, but books too) that could help new photographers come to a better understanding of fundamental lighting concepts? I’m especially interested in example based learning, where an…
Sean
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What continuous light technology gives light most suitable for photo lighting?

I have started to look around for a flashlight (a handheld torch, not speedlight) to selectively light scenes during long exposures, but the wide selection of technologies used in bulbs puzzles me. There's (at least) incandescent, halogen, xenon,…
Imre
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Red LED not red but white after I take the photo

Taking a photo of a small red LED causes the resultant photo to have the top of the LED to be white than red. I'm using a Canon S-120 I've tried many different setting with no luck. My friend who is not into photography using his iPhone got great…
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How to photograph live stage shows?

Whenever I try to take pictures of actors in a stage show, the colors always end up looking wrong. I assume it's something to do with the abnormal lighting—we don't have peach, blue, green, and amber light shining on us in "real life", after all—but…
dgw
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Is there a way to get a good sillhouette without a window?

I'm taking maternity photos for a friend tomorrow (first "real" photo shoot!) and I'm hoping to do some sillhouettes, but as far as I know she doesn't have a window that would work well for one. Is there another way to use lighting to get a good…
Sarah Haren
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How does this photographer achieve such RICH detail and contrast

These are pictures of a photographer that works for a popular breeder of poison dart frogs. In the 3 examples attached I will describe what, to me is remarkable about that. I would be elated to hear from the more experienced lot of you about how…
HelloWorld
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Profile Silhouettes and Rim Lights: How to Do it Right?

I am new to photography (less than a year) and I am reading Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Book. I tried applying his profile silhouette technique but can't. The transcript in the book requires only one softbox. When I researched rim lighting, it…
Ygam
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How to cancel purple stage lighting on subjects?

HI! So, I shot a live band that played under purple stage lights. Most acts have strong colored LED lights affecting the subject's skin and I'd like to know how to tone these colors down when I'm shooting. Ex: How to counteract the strong purple…
PHorstman
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How do I measure illuminance (lux or foot-candles)?

Many years ago, someone showed me how to use a Luna Pro light meter to measure foot-candles. I do not recall. How do I do this?
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AD360 and Speedlight single controller for Nikon manual or TTL

I currently have a Flashpoint TTL-n ad360. I would like to remotely control it and perhaps 2 additional speedlights--I guess either Godox or Flashpoint brand--with a single trigger unit on-camera, both in TTL or manual remote control. Which…
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Shooting video in bright light

I usually shoot photos using the view finder (eye cup). When I shoot video, I need to use live view and in bright areas, such as a beach, when I look into the monitor all I see is myself. So obviously I can't focus. Is there an easy remedy for this?…
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