CRAIG HAVENS Lighting Fundamentals for Photographers

Transcription

1 CRAIG HAVENS Lighting Fundamentals for Photographers It seems to be the fate of humankind that those things furthest from our understanding are those which our sensual faculties encounter most often. - Johann Lambert, 1760 (Mathmetician, Physicist, Astronomer - from his treatise on "Photometrics") Course Number: ART X Class Structure: 8 Lecture Sessions/ 2 Shoot Sessions / 3 Hour Sessions Course Instructor: Craig Havens CATALOG DESCRIPTION Light. As a photographer it is all you have to work with - understanding light is your vital bridge to representing your vision on film or in capture. This class starts at the source, beginning with the basic elements of what light is and how it behaves. Through historic example, in-class demonstrations and enlightening assignments, this class will reinvigorate your appreciation and understanding of one of the most basic of elements - light itself - and how it relates to your photographic practice in simple and fundamental ways. Enrollment limited to 18 students. Although no previous knowledge of photography or photo editing is required, students must be familiar with such basic computer operations as opening and saving documents, file management, and copy/paste functions, etc. Students are encouraged to bring their camera and instruction manual to the first class. SPRING 2012 SESSION This course is offered in 10 sessions. Two of these sessions are field trip shoots on location. Participants should plan to attend all sessions in order to fully access the benefits of course materials and lectures. 4/4 7to10pm Session 1 Intro/Best Images/Basics 4/11 7to10pm Session 2 Light and Debt: Creating An Affordable Home Studio 4/25 7to10pm Session 3 Raw Material: Light 5/2 7to10pm Session 4 Portrait & Travel Lighting 5/5 2pm to 5pm SHOOT I Observing Lighting on Location: Grand Street / Downtown LA 5/9 7to10pm Session 5 Family of Angles 5/12 2pm to 5pm SHOOT II Reflections & Angles: Getty Center Field Trip 5/16 7to10pm Session 6 Revealing Shape & Contour: Ball, Cube & Cylinder Exercise 5/23 7to10pm Session 7 Lighting Extremes / Magic Light 5/30 7to10pm Session 8 Final Project Critique

2 OBJECTIVES This class will explore the basic nature of light and how it affects the photographic progress specifically. It will provide both beginning and advanced photographers with a complete skill set regarding the following facets of light: color and quality, aesthetic values, historic practice, conceptual impact, natural and artificial sources, mechanics of control, basic studio practice, camera practice, image capture, and composition. Students will gain insights into approaching subject matter and concept development, professional photographic practices, history of photography, development of visual sensitivity and generating personal insights into individual experience with light through the medium of photography. Upon completion of the class students will have full understanding of light and its application to the photographic practice. EXPECTED OUTCOMES The general goal for this course is to provide photographers with a foundation of information and experience with light. In addition, the course will present the student with opportunities to carry out real-world activities to discover and interpret the effect of light on the photographic process. Specific objectives are that participants will be able to: 1. Accurately identify different types of light and successfully master the basic principles of lighting control 2. Demonstrate an awareness of light in regards to effective image composition 3. Learn to identify problematic lighting and correct or employ it to their advantage 4. Demonstrate an understanding of good image exposure and capture 5. Articulate a personal aesthetic rationale within the practice of lighting 6. Successfully demonstrate a personal creative vision in class assignments 7. Accurately adapt lighting techniques to the distinct nature of digital imaging 8. Demonstrate technical competence regarding the principles of lighting on location 9. Identify and employ effective working practices of corrective lighting effects in Post Production Editing within Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Bridge 10. Complete culminating experiences demonstrating competency in the discipline of fine digital printing techniques and practices 11. Complete culminating experiences demonstrating competency in environmental photography including portraits and location studies 12. Successfully write, concept and complete a personal Photographic Essay demonstrating a personal vision and competency in course material 13. Meaningfully review classmatesʼ course projects and participate in group critiques 14. Develop respectful and congruent interpersonal skills and abilities to work successfully with groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds within the program coursework 15. Correctly use vocabulary specific to the technical and creative facets of digital 16. Engage in positive and meaningful dialogue with classmates concerning course topics and student projects 17. Express interest in further study in photographic and artistic practices

3 REQUIRED MATERIALS Texts: (Optional) Light, Science & Magic (Third Edition) Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua ISBN: Comprehensive coverage of essential topics such as lighting principles, selection of light sources, controlling light, types of reflections, and the family of angles. Order directly online at Amazon.com or Required Camera Supplies: Optional Studio Supplies: 35mm Digital SLR Camera w/ manual setting capabilities Off Camera TTL strobe w/ Extension Cord 50mm fixed Lens or equivalent zoom lens 1 Gigabyte Portable USB Flash Drive Sturdy Tripod You can do most of the assignments using a bed sheet as a background and a window with a shade or curtain for your light source. There are many economical substitutions possible and which we will discuss during our first two sessions. There is no need to purchase any of these materials before the class begins. These are just suggested materials that will expand your ability to manipulate light as you learn to implement the lessons you gain during the course. LIGHTS Smith Victor KT500 2 Light Floodlight Kit - $120 at Calumet -or- Smith Victor KT750 3 Light Floodlight Kit - $140 at Calumet - or - Clip Lights with standard screw mounts for household bulbs Daylight Balanced Floodlight Lightbulbs with household screw mount Dimmer Switch for use with household extension cords LIGHTING GEAR 20x24 Painting Stretcher Bars available at any art store to form an affordable frame for stretching diffusion materials 1 20x24 Cinegel Diffusion Material Light Stands - $30 at Calumet Disk Reflectors - $30 at Calumet

4 MISC STUDIO GRIP 2 4x4 ft Sheets of Foam Core White/Black 1 20x24 Cinegel Light Orange, Light Blue, Light Red 1 Roll Gaffers Tape (Black) 1 Power Strip 3 8ft Heavy Duty Extension cords 10 Small Clips (metal or clothes-pin style w/ spring) 1 Low Shoot Surface / Table BACKGROUNDS 1 Small Medium Gray Seamless Paper Background 1 Calumet Background Stand Kit for $120 SUPPLY STORES Calumet North Highland Avenue Los Angeles California Hours} M-F 8to6 Sat 9to5:30 Freestyle Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles California USA Hours} M-F 9 to 5:30 Sat 10 to 5 Sun 11 to 4 Studio Depot A Mole-Richardson Company N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, CA Voice: (323) Fax: (323) Monday-Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm (Closed Saturday & Sunday)

5 COURSE REQUIREMENTS -Attending all lectures and reading assigned materials -Completing in-class activities -Responding to discussion questions regarding session topics -Completing shooting assignments -Completing final project assignment GRADING Participation 30% Each participant is expected to take an active part in activities. This includes presenting and sharing information, ideas, and thoughts in class discussions. The participation component of your course grade is based on: Frequent attendance Completing activities Contribution to class and group discussions Cooperative and collaborative effort Completeness and accuracy of contributions and presentations Professional and respectful behavior Class preparation (e.g., completion of readings and activities by posted deadlines) Shooting Assignments 30% The assignments are designed to help you make meaningful connections among the pieces of information presented and your prior knowledge, as well as to assess your progress and understanding. The assignments build toward your final project. Each assignment is graded for completeness and accuracy. See the course schedule for assignment due dates. Final Project 40% A final photographic study to be presented in group critique at the last course meeting. Sample photographic studies will be reviewed during the course. The final project is designed to aid in your understanding of photographic studies and applying the principles of digital image-making in a generative way to your personal artistic practice. Incomplete Course Grades Incomplete course grades must be arranged with the instructor prior to the last week of the course. Course incompletes are only allowed in cases of documented, justified circumstances. Etiquette: - Do not request assignment or personal work reviews through . No reviews will be given for late work or work that students were not in class to present personally. - Do not request class notes through for missed classes. Any pertinent class notes from sessions will be posted as part of the week's assignment on Blackboard. - Do not contact the instructor through personal/business or phone for class purposes. - Any s breaching these points of etiquette will not receive a response Class Address: [email protected]

6 Blackboard UCLA Blackboard is an online interface that allows students to have one place to go for all class information including assignments, class notes, field trip information and more. Information on your login ID and instructions for accessing Blackboard should have been sent to you by the UCLA Extension Admissions Office. If you did not receive an concerning Blackboard or have additional questions please contact Support Services using the form at this URL: UCLA STUDENT STORE / SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS Extension students who are enrolled in For-Credit classes are entitled to the same academic discounts as University students. In addition, students enrolled in designrelated certificate programs can take advantage of a further discount for Adobe software. The upshot is that a student enrolled in one class (but who is not enrolled in the certificate program) can bring their receipt in to the student store and purchase software at the regularly discounted price. A student who enrolls in the certificate program will receive the super-discount that was recently bartered with Adobe. Contact the UCLA Student Store for further details at: UCLA EXTENSION PHOTO CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Certificate in Photography. Itʼs a combination of beginning, intermediate and advanced level classes, appropriate for beginners but offering a fuller range of course options. Most of the requirements will remain the same, but we hope that this new program will offer a clear course of study. Details and requirements for the Certificate in Photography can be found here: Here are the major benefits: 1. Students enrolled in CF561 Certificate in the Fundamentals of Photography receive a one-year membership to ASMP, the American Society of Media Photographers. 2. Certificate students receive significant discounts on Adobe software at the ASUCLA student store. 3. Certificate students may get a Bruincard (UCLA ID card) for a $10 fee. 4. Certificate students are eligible for free one-day workshops offered throughout the quarter. 5. Certificate students may participate in the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony.