The art of photography is the art of controlling light. Depending on your situation, what must be done with the light around you--or light created around you--varies between diffusion, enhancement and dimming. For studio photography, light boxes are the preferred method of diffusion--light is not only enhanced, but is spread evenly throughout the box. Slides, or screens, can be used to the same effect. Know your camera and how its setting interact with light before you get started. Proper lighting can turn even the simplest of subjects into a vibrant work of art.
Instructions
Light Boxes
1. Set up the light box. Technically, a light box does not change the direction of light, but rather it diffuses it evenly throughout the box to properly light an object inside without shadows. Light boxes generally range anywhere between two to four feet wide or tall. Smaller boxes are usually more common. Larger subjects--such as humans--are photographed in studios in front of screens and with bouncing slides.
2. Choose or create a three-sided box. Light boxes have just three sides and a roof, and are generally either wider than tall or perfectly square. You can create a wooden frame and line it with paper, foam board, canvas or other cloth. Whatever you choose must be able to let light through, and needs to be white. If you prefer, you could purchase a light box kit from a camera supply store.
3. Position the lights either around the box or direct them through the opening. The light must either pass through the sides--one on each side--or over the top of the box through the fabric or paper walls. This will spread the light evenly throughout the box to afford a softer glow to the object being photographed.
For a more vibrant lighting, set up three lights--two directly at the entrance on either side, and one through the top. If you are using this method you will need to make sure that you are using cool white lights, incandescent lights will leave an unwanted yellow hue.
Slides, Screens, Silks, and Scrims
4. Choose the right light effect for your surrounding light. "Slide" is not a technical term used by photographers to refer to light diffusers. It usually refers to a series of images, such as "negative slides." Tools used to change the direction of light are known as screens, scrims and silks. Screens are used to bounce light directly from a source, such as a flash bulb or constant streaming light. Scrims are used to lessen the amount of light produced from a source, such as harsh sunlight, and do not change the color temperature. Silks are used to diffuse light intended to illuminate the object--that is, it spreads it evenly.
5. Set up screens. Any type of material that will bounce soft light onto your subject will work, whether it is a large piece of white cardboard or a stretched pieces of fabric. Angle the screen against the light so that there are no harsh shadows on the subject. Generally, screens can be used at any time, though if you are using studio lighting, the subject should be against a backdrop.
6. Use either a scrim or a silk. Scrims and screens don't bounce light, but rather the light passes directly through them. Scrims are made of silk, and you can either stretch silk over a frame, or purchase one through a photography equipment dealer. Light also passes directly through the silk, but the light is diffused, that is, "spread out." Hold both silks and scrims directly in front of the light source, that is whatever angle the light is hitting the object, either sun or bulb, the screen should be positioned to directly interfere with it.
Tags: evenly throughout, bounce light, change direction, change direction light, direction light, directly through