How photographers/you describe light?

[ccting]

Originally Posted by zona5101

read the book Light:Science and Magic.
or re-read it.
If you really want to know about the qualities of light you'll need to understand that book.

Yes, reading... lack of equipment to test... just got my English version..I need at least 3 months to understand this book conceptually...

But the best way is words from expert.. ;D

"I shoot virtually, in my dream.."

[SGToliver]

you can read how to take photos all day long but experience via trial and error is the quickest way to learn. Don't over think it. Your brain constantly analyzes your surroundings and light. So you are already doing and understanding the questions you seem to be asking.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by SGToliver

you can read how to take photos all day long but experience via trial and error is the quickest way to learn. Don't over think it. Your brain constantly analyzes your surroundings and light. So you are already doing and understanding the questions you seem to be asking.

No., I have not read the book in detail and I am still blur.. just wish to get the conclusion before reading the book (i just got the ENglish version early this morning). That makes my reading easier.. Furthermore, the chinese old folks said :"If you trust the books 100%, it is better don't read the books..".. I also wish to understand the conflicts between the book and other experts.

I wish i can reduce the trial on error approach as my camera battery is dying... Hopefully, I can virtualise the shooting in my mind first, before give it a trial. If I fail to get what I have virtualized during the first few attempts, then it means I need to sit back and revise my understanding.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by SGToliver

you can read how to take photos all day long but experience via trial and error is the quickest way to learn.

I agree with this statement.
However, CC is wishing to understand how to describe the qualities light. For conversations with other photographers about light you need to have a common reference/definition. Light:Science & Magic provides that foundation. It will also teach a little about how-to as well - but it is more akin to a textbook on light.

[Doug Sundseth]

Originally Posted by ccting

Is that mean this cheaper version of softbox is not that useful for photographing people, as the size is quite small?.

I can't follow that link at work, but I can say that I've gotten fairly nice results from using a Lumiquest LQ-III softbox (approximately 20 x 22 cm) for headshots. Remember that it's the apparent size of the light source (the angle subtended by the lightsource) from the position of the subject that matters, not the actual size of the lightsource. A small softbox very close to the subject may well be softer than a large source far from the subject.

Originally Posted by ccting

What is the nearest possible distance between softbox and subject. .

Immediately outside the frame of the shot (or even inside the frame if you're willing to remove it in post). This might be as little as 10cm or so from the subject.

Remember, though, that the closer you get, the faster the light falloff, because light falloff is proportional to 1/distance^2. When the light is 10cm from the near side of a face, it will be around 30cm from the far side of the same face, so the far side will get 1/9 as much light as the near side (about three stops less light).

Originally Posted by ccting

I find that learning light is much harder than learning basic composition.

8-)

You'll find yourself with lots of company in that opinion. When people start with photography, they find it difficult to control the three basic elements of exposure (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture). When you add artificial lights, each light has a size, power, distance, direction, and modifiers. The variables proliferate, which can be difficult to hold in your head.

That's possibly the biggest reason that you need to try things out rather than just learning the theory. You need to attach practical experience to theory to be able to chunk information enough to keep all of the information in your head at once.

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

That's possibly the biggest reason that you need to try things out rather than just learning the theory. You need to attach practical experience to theory to be able to chunk information enough to keep all of the information in your head at once.

Thanks Doug. But, I study the "theory" first merely because I don't have those basic equipment. May be I will get this sometimes next year and try them out. Learning lighting is a big challenge for me.....I am sure it will take at least 1 year to learn..

I am thinking of using Virtual Reality, and you can add any light source to any object.. without spending money. Anyone try that before? That is how the car manufacturer design, and test their cars..

I will post some sample of lighting sample using VR..later.

The book says: " three primary colors: red, blue green".. Hmm, I think it is a mistake, as most of the things around are not using this color model! Only computer screens, TV, camera LCD and those luminance material that output lights (not reflect) use RGB color model. We are using CMY color model same as artists..I wander why the book tells us about the RGB color model.. ::???????????

[Madog]

Originally Posted by ccting

I study the "theory" first merely because I don't have those basic equipment.

You don't need anything special. I read LS&M with a 40 watt incandescent desk lamp next to me, pausing from reading to try things out on occasion. Not always taking photos, but observing effects Printer paper, tin foil, wax paper, duct tape, cardboard, were soon added to play with the principles I was learning about. It doesn't matter how you try it, just try it. It helps me to associate a real visual effect with a principle.

[RichardTaylor]

You may want to see this why we think RGB. (especially for digital technology).

Understanding Digital Camera Sensors.

[NathanFranke]

Everything you need to know about lighting, artificial or otherwise

[ccting]

Originally Posted by Madog

You don't need anything special. I read LS&M with a 40 watt incandescent desk lamp next to me, pausing from reading to try things out on occasion. Not always taking photos, but observing effects Printer paper, tin foil, wax paper, duct tape, cardboard, were soon added to play with the principles I was learning about. It doesn't matter how you try it, just try it. It helps me to associate a real visual effect with a principle.

Yes agree. But I don't even have 40watt incandescent desk lamp..