Artificial light refers to any light source that is not naturally occuring in your shooting environment. It includes a built-in or on-camera flash, external flash unit, studio lighting or even a do-it-yourself lighting set up. It can also include other creative light sources, such as spotlights and even headlights, like Kathryn Hore of Australia did in these photos.
On Camera Flash
On-camera flashes will fire automatically when in AUTO mode, but may need to be activated when in exposure or creative modes by popping up your flash. This type of flash often causes unsightly red-eye effects in your subjects:
Source: www.wikipedia.com
Red eye is caused when the flash is close to the lens in low light situations. Because the flash occurs quickly, the pupil cannot constrict fast enough and the light reflects off the fundus at the back of the eyeball and out through the pupil. The red colour comes from the large amount of blood found in the choroid at the back of the eye, behind the retina. (source: www.wikipedia.com)
There are several ways to prevent red eye. You can use an external flash, directly or indirectly. If you do not have an external flash unit, try to turn on as many lights as possible and have your subject avoid looking directly at the lens. If all else fails, you can use photo editing software in post-production to correct it.
External Flash Unit
An external flash is a separate unit that can be purchased and attached to your camera using a “hot shoe“, usually located on the top of your camera.
There are two ways to employ an external light. Direct flash is when your flash is pointed directly at your subject. If you remember from our May 2010 tutorial, you can use direct flash to fill-in your subject when using backlighting.
Taken with Nikon D70 at f/4.5, 1/320 sec., ISO 200. Flash fired.
It is not without fault, though – direct flash can leave harsh shadows behind your subject or leave a glare on any reflective surface, such as a mirror, window, high-gloss painted wall or eyeglasses. Depending on your proximity to your subject, it can also wash out colours and overexpose the foreground. Notice the difference in lighting in the following photos:
Taken with Nikon D90 at f/4, 1/60 sec., ISO 640. Direct flash fired.
Taken with Nikon D90 at f/4, 1/60 sec., ISO 640. Bounced flash fired.
The lighting is much softer in the bounced flash photo, and the glare from my dad’s eyeglasses is eliminated. He looked down (he’s camera shy!) which may have contributed to the elimination of glare – I always ask my bespectacled subjects to tilt their heads down a notch to avoid this. In addition, the harsh shadows behind his head in the first photo are softened in the second.
Indirect flash is a better option. One method is to bounce your light. To do so, you need to have a flat white or light coloured surface, such as a ceiling, wall or reflector that will reflect the light, or you can use a bounce card, like this 15 second do-it-yourself version.
Remember that the angle of incidence will equal the angle of reflection when bouncing your flash, as discussed in the Summer 2010 Hands On! Photography article. As a general rule of thumb, aim your flash at a point that is midway between your flash and subject. Also remember that by bouncing the light, you are doubling the distance that it has to travel so adjust your exposure settings accordingly.
Another method of indirect flash is to use a diffuser. It softens the impact of a powerful external flash unit and minimizes shadows. There are several commercial products on the market, but if you are budget conscious, search online for “do it yourself flash diffuser” for a range of ideas.
Studio Lighting
Studio lighting can be very cost prohibitive, especially for amateur photographers who are trying to turn their hobby into a profession. When determining studio set up, you will have to consider both space and cost of both categories of lighting: continuous and flash. Continuous lighting is inexpensive so it’s a good choice for an initial set up. It also allows you to view the lighting before the image is taken, revealing shadows and highlights. However, it can be very hot and uncomfortable for both you and your subject. It also causes your subject’s irises to dilate, which is generally not desired in portraits.
There are so many considerations when choosing flash lighting such as power, reliability, features and of course, cost. Several retailers will set lighting kits, which are ideal for an initial investment, such as this one or this one. As with any large investment, it is wise to research and determine your needs prior to purchasing.
Do It Yourself Lighting
If you are still experimenting, or are on a tight budget, there are several places online that offer ideas and tips for a build-your-own studio. Here are a few that I found interesting:
ProPhotoLIfe.com – DIY Studio Product Photography – Ep. 1
ProPhotoLIfe.com – DIY Studio Product Photography – Ep. 4
Putting Together a Budget DIY Lighting System
PVC Backdrop/Light stand
Homemade Cheap DIY Backdrop Stand (lighting options offered further down in article)
I’m sure there are more out there – just use your search feature on your browser.
Now it’s time to try out what we’ve learned!
Your July assignment:
Using the July tutorial as a guide, photograph a subject using artificial light. Use your on-camera flash, an external flash unit or get creative and try to find unique artificial light to complement your image. Try bouncing your flash off the ceiling or a wall. Dig out a piece of white foam core and use it as a reflector. Go out and PLAY!! As always, if you have any questions, please leave me a comment on this post, or email me.
Deadline: 11:59 pm EST, July 31st, 2010
Please submit your photo, using our submission form only, for a chance to be entered into our draw to win an awesome prize. A randomly chosen entry will be drawn after the deadline. Please click HERE to review the rules regarding this draw BEFORE submitting. Please note – submissions that are not relative to the tutorial and/or do not abide by these rules will not be posted on the blog, or entered into the draw. PLEASE remember that your photos should be sized to 72dpi, and at least 500 pixels wide. Don’t forget to include your camera settings, including camera used, f/stop, aperture and ISO for your image in the Comments section of the submisson form! Submissions that do not include this info may not be posted on the blog.
This month’s sponsor is Stampin’ Up – Check out July’s prize pack!
Thanks for playing along this month… Happy Clicking!
Sue has been behind a camera for more than 25 years, working professionally as a photographer for the last ten years. While she began the hobby of scrapbooking in 2000, as a complement to her photographer career, it soon grew into a rival passion! Sue loves to enlarge one of her favourite photos and make it the focal point of her page, using her supplies to bring the focus onto her photography. She has, in recent years, turned more to scrapbooking "moments" rather than "events", choosing to leave her children more insight into her point of view of their lives.
I have always struggled with red eye especially with pictures of my son. I will experiment with bouncing the flash.
I love using the fill-in flash when the subjects are backlit. It was a great tutorial. Thanks.
Interesting …. I think I need to read this again.
Great advice, I actually learned something today!
Great tutorial…..thanks everyone!!!
Wow what great advice! Thanks!
This is an area I tend to avoid…love natural light but it isn’t always available so I really should try and master my external flash.
Very informative – especially the bit about eyeglass glare. Thanks Cari!
great tutorial
Thanks for the info. I’m learning so much.
love the blog hop.
After my course when I am ready to build my studio I will definitely be coming back here to get some info that should be helpful
Cool!
Great information for us photographers living in a country that only allows for outdoor photo shoots for a few months of the year…thanks!
Thanks for the DIY projects!
Lots of great info here! I rarely use my flash, basically only inside and in winter. hhmmmmmm thanks!!!
Love this info !!
This is a great tutorial on artificial light! I like what the article said about direct flash and that you have to watch out for harsh shadows! TFS!!!
Great article.
Thanks for the article . I really need to take more photos
Thanks for the red eye info… will solve an ever present issue.
I have so much difficulty taking pictures in artificial light…especially of scrappy projects that are to be posted online. The colours are always slightly different. Thanks for the tips!
thanks for the great info.
thanks for the info, now to go practice what i have learnt
Great tutorial. I am going to have to read this again to absorb it all.
I love how the indirect flash made a world of difference to your photo with your dad, great tips!
I’m learning lots, thanks!!
Wonderful tutorial!
Red Eye is always a problem I have—-hoping to solve that now–thanks
I loved the party bouncer… great, quick tip!
I hate red eye in photos and always trying to fix them after- thanks for the tip!!
Thanks for the fabulous info!
so helpful thanks!
Red eye drives me up the wall. Even correcting it digitally does not satisfy me. I would just prefer it to go AWAY! With that said, direct lighting from the first example is great in certain cases. I actually like to see all the lines on a face (ask me again in another few years .. as I turn 50 next year). As one of my teachers in college use to always say … “I want to see character”… My husband has a reflector which he uses and do have to say his photos are much nicer than mine. Thanks for the tips and the links on artificial lighting.
Sandra d.
I have yet to try my external flash!?! How bad it that. thanks for the reminder.
I sometimes find my flash very frustrating…thank you for the tips!
I need to get an external flash for my camera, I currently have a flash diffuser on my “on camera flash” and it does an ok job, but I really want to try “bouncing my flash”!
This tutorial is something I need to work on as my house didn’t have any great windows or natural light. I wish I was more familar with this before. Great tips.
Great turorial! Thank you!
When I do use my ext flash I always try to bounce off when I have someone wearing glasses, great tips!
Great tutorial! Thank you!
I find my pop up flash annoying – thanks for the great tips.
I love this blog and all tips
I love the fact you always provide us with tips for cheap-DIY alternatives.
I’ve put a reflector on my Christmas list and hope it happens so I can experiment with it. Thanks for the tips.
It was fun to win the prize for this month’s tutorial…I will definately submit more photos! Winning is FUN!
These are some great tips. I usually just fix the red eye on my computer – yikes!
Wow, another great article. Playing with the flash is also on my mental to-do list. One of my next purchases will have to be an external flash unit.
Thanks!
Yes, me too. I am going to get DH to make an external flash my next birthday gift, which is coming up very soon!
I use this technique all the time… and when all else fails (sometimes I just can’t get it right!), photoshop to the rescue!!!
Very interesting tips on bounced lighting! Off to share the information with my husband.
My dh bought me a flash last year. I am loving it, but need to learn more on it.
Fun challenge, has me so wanting to buy an external flash now
Love this information.
great tip to have bespectacled people look down a bit to avoid glare in glasses. intersting to know what actually happens with red eye.
This would cut out a lot of editing time…..
good lesson. the first pic scared me though!!!
Great tips!!
Hopefully this will help with the evil eyes, I mean red eye!
Great tip
So much to learn!
Red eye is evil!!
Thanks for the great tips.Awesome pics.
I am scared of flash…lol!!! Thanks for the great tips….now to go practice:-)
Fabulous tips to eliminate red eyes and shadows!
Will have to try some of your great tips!
GREAT tutorial and that picture with the BIG red eyes cracks me up
I just loved your comparison examples…they really helped me notice the difference when using a bounced light. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the tips … they will be useful as the light of summer fades!