Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Class # 2, Jan. 31

Artificial vs. Natural Light

In class, we talked about the quality of light, color temperature, white balance and the difference between artificial and natural light. We did a demo to illustrate the importance of color temperature and how to choose the correct white balance setting or the film when shooting.












Studio Photography Assignment Due February 7, 2008

Do 2 portraits of the same person: One using artificial light and one using natural light (sun). Step back and take photos of each lighting set-up before you shoot (with the subject in the picture) showing what type of light, fill, position of window, position of artificial light etc. has been used.

In the end, you need to bring 4 photos to class. (2 portraits, 2 set-up shots)
*Note: If you wish to possibly use this photo for a website in the future, have your subject fill out a model release form.

Fill out the following questions as you shoot and bring this form to class next week:

Portrait using Natural Light


Type of fill used (card? Reflector? wall?):

Name all lights that were affecting the shoot. Was it just sun? Was there any other available light?

Where was the subject in relation to the light source?

What F-stop and shutter speed were you shooting at?

Portrait using Artificial Light


Type of fill used (card? Reflector? wall?):

Name all lights that were affecting the shoot. Was there any available light you could not control?

Where was the subject in relation to the light source?

What F-stop and shutter speed were you shooting at?

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To download a standard model release form, please click here.

Class # 1, Jan. 24

During class # 1, there was a demo on how to use fill in portraiture.

Using one hot light (omni light) in the Rembrandt position pointed directly at the subject standing in front of a white back-drop, Erin photographed each student using a Nikon D70: once with hard light, and once with hard light plus fill. As a fill, we used a reflector dish that was gold on one side, white on the other. Students worked in pairs and made all meter readings for Erin, and then held the fill reflector in the correct position. Notice how when the fill is used, shadows are lightened and the left side of the subject's face pops out more from the background. Here are a few of the photos we took:

Photo on Left: Hard Direct Light, no fill
Photo on Right: Hard Direct Light, with fill







Assignment due Jan 31: Bring at least 5 photos of your work to share with the class, preferably portraits or still life. Bring them as prints or on CD as jpgs.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Welcome to Spring Semester!

Welcome to the Studio Photography class at Nassau Community College.

This semester, students in my class will learn the basics of studio lighting. We will work mostly digitally, but students are welcome to shoot film if they like. By the end of the semester, all students will be able to make professional looking studio portraits and still life photographs. For more info and a detailed course outline, please click here. For the syllabus, please click here.

This blog is a resource for NCC students enrolled in Art 227, and students are expected to check the blog weekly for assignments, readings and general information pertaining to the class.

Assignment due next week (Jan. 31): Bring to class 5 portraits you’ve taken that you feel represent your best work- these photos can be old or recent.

I'm Erin Gleeson and I'll be your instructor this semester. I am a NYC based freelance photographer specializing in food. For more information on me, please take a look at my website: (image below copyright erin gleeson 2007)

www.eringleeson.com
and my blog:
www.eringleeson.blogspot.com





Additional Info:
Suggested film screenings click here.
To order supplies: B&H
Understanding Different Lighting Set Ups, click here.