My New York Institute of Photography Unit Three has commenced.  The second lesson discussed artificial lighting was pretty eye opening.  During we were told to stop what we were reading, find some flood lights and practice some techniques using solely artificial lighting.  Being in Italy with limited storage space, as well as being a totally organizationally challenged individual, I left my flood lights in the States thinking I wasn't going to have any space to store them here...bummer.  So, I looked to people I know here who may have some sort of lighting kit.  Thankfully, I attend a Bible study with a photographer's wife and have met him once at a Christmas party where he was doing the formal pictures.  Additionally, he is tremendously giving and generous with his photography knowledge and equipment.  It's great to be in the company of passionate photographers who break creative rules and stretch their artistry...I hope some will rub off on me!  

Onto what I learned about artificial lighting.  It was a lot of things I know, but have never practiced.  I rarely use my reflector and really dislike the artificial look of flash, but I think that is because I don't know how to use it properly.  What I learned, then practiced in this lesson was how to CREATE shadows and enhance the shape, texture and translucence of subjects.  Now, the old procrastinator Mackenzie would have said, "Oh yeah, I'll get to that at the end of the lesson or the end of the Unit when I'm doing my photo project."  Trying to change my ways, I finished the lesson and said I won't go on until I've actually practiced these new techniques, and I have to say...IT WAS FUN!  I have never set up a light kit, let alone played with lighting to see how the shadows move or how slight adjustments can change the entire essence of a pear :-).  

We were assigned to photograph an object to show it's shape, another to show it's texture and a translucent liquid to shine light through it without actually lighting the liquid from behind.  We were encouraged to start with one light, then add another to fill in the shadows, use our reflector to bounce light, move the lights from 45 degrees to 90 degrees in relation to the subject, block light, or feather, using a piece of cardboard.  You know...it's quite amazing what a simple piece of cardboard can do!  

Now, these pictures are not all that interesting, but it's an exercise to possibly make some future photos amazing.  My favorite is the wine glass...which is yours?  Hover over the photo to get an idea of where my light is coming from.

Lighting an object to emphasize it's shape.

Pear45 degree side-lighting, one main light. I do see some spillage from where I didn't close the shudder in the kitchen. Pear 245 degree main light with reflector bouncing light onto shaded side.

Lighting to show texture and feathering the light off the back.

Bread45 degree main light Bread 245 degree main light with a piece of cardboard feathering light to add dimension

Lighting a translucent liquid without actually shining the through the glass...these were really fun.

Vino bianco90 degree main light with a piece of cardboard blocking some of the background. Vino bianco 2Main light straight on with a piece of cardboard under the light blocking it from shining directly onto the glass. The light bounced off the white paper and eliminated the glare which would be quite distracting.

Now to experiment with some bubbly liquids!

Grazie mille amici!

Mackenzie