VV033
PHOTOGRAPHY
FUNDAMENTALS
(Light and Surfaces)
Session 4
LIGHT / STILL LIFE
Mgr. et MgA. Veronika Lukášová, Ph.D.
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
WHAT IS
Light is a form of
electromagnetic
radiation.
Electromagnetic
radiation has a very
wide range for Gamma
rays (X-ray) small waves
to large waves such as
Radio waves.
?
Only small band of the
electromagnetic radiation
that we call a visible light can
be detected by a human eye.
Other parts of the spectrum
can be captured by
specialized equipment f.e.
infrared film, cloud chamber,
Geiger counter etc.
Electromagnetic
radiation
spectrum
Understanding
natural light
Time of the day
and weather
/ determines
direction of how
the light falls
onto the subject
/ determines
position of
shadows
/ determines
temperature
(hue) of the light
Natural light (the
light of the sun)
can present a
wide and varied
range of light
situations.
Visible
electromagnetic
spectrum
Visible
electromagnetic
spectrum
Understanding natural light
Golden hour am+pm
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Understanding natural light
Shooting mid-day
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Understanding natural light
Shooting mid-day
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Understanding natural light
Shooting at dusk
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Artificial light is a
light originating
from an artificial
source such as
studio lights,
flashlight, interior
lighting, flash gun,
phone light etc.
Understanding
artificial light
Temperature of the
light source
translates into a
colour cast from
blue to yellow.
You can use
purposely different
light temperatures
for an effect.
Mixed artificial
light
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Visible
electromagnetic
spectrum
® LIGHT METERING
/EXPONOMETRY
Light meter is a hand device that
enables you to get spot-on
exposure when shooting in a
difficult light situation –
i.e. studio set up with multiple
lights
18% grey is called middle grey , a
reference point for photographic
exposure. It s a mid point btw white
and black. Some photographers use
grey card but….
When exposing outside, you can
determine the correct exposure by
metering off your hand or a green
grass.
This is because they both reflect
similar amount of light as 18% grey
card
® LIGHT METERING
STILL LIFE
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Classical still life
Classical still life
Zátiší na okně.
Josef Sudek
Classical still life
https://sbirky.moravska-galerie.cz/dielo/CZE:MG.MG_13195
Jednoduché zátiší
Josef Sudek
Classical still life
https://sbirky.moravska-galerie.cz/dielo/CZE:MG.MG_13195
Zátiší se suchými listy.
Josef Sudek
Classical still life
Found still life
Wolfgang Tillmans
Who is Wolfgang Tillmans?
Wolfgang Tillmans is a
German photographer. He
started receiving recognition
in the 1990s with special
interests in documentations
of youths, LGBTQ culture,
and clubs. Since then, he has
expanded his practice to
accommodate diaristic
photography, commissioned
magazine work, and large
scale conceptual series.
Wolfgang Tillmans –
Calama still life,
2012
Found still life
Found still life
Wolfgang
Tillmans – Still
life,
Watermelon,
1997
Found still life
Veronika Lukasova
LiuWei (né en
1972)Landscape
(montagnes célestes),
2004
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6385868?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intObjectID=6385868&from=salessummary&lid=1
Conceptual still life
Conceptual still life
Conceptual still life
® STILL LIFE
deconstructed
Conceptual still life
Veronika Lukasova
Conceptual still life
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
Conceptual still life
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
® STILL LIFE
With colour gels
527165-
Petrekova_Kat
arina-
glass_table_VV
033_1.JPG
528104-
Balkova_Darina-
528104_Balkova_
Darina_glass_tabl
e_VV033_01.JPG
® LIGHT SCAVENGER
HUNT
Choose an object and
photograph it with at least
three different light sources/
combination of light sources.
Observe the change of tonal
range and hues.
Folder: Light scavenger hunt
VV033
PHOTOGRAPHY
Light and Surfaces
Session 3
ASSIGNMENT 1
FOUND MIXED LIGHT
SOURCES
DIFFERENT LIGHT SOURCE
DIFFERENT COLOUR
Work by yourself or a
partner around FIMU
® FOUND STILL LIFE
Go around the FIMU and see if you can
find ready made still life.
Photograph in at least 3 different ways
without rearranging the objects
Lens 35mm and higher, Fstop 8 and
higher. Use Tripod
https://mcpactions.com/the-ideal-focal-length-for-portraiture-a-photographers-experiment/
VV033
PHOTOGRAPHY
Light and Surfaces
Session 3
ASSIGNMENT 2
Work by yourself around
FIMU
Submit 3-5 jpgs
FOLDER: FOUND STILL LIFE
Photo by Veronika Lukasova
® STILL LIFE WITH
COLOUR GELS
Arrange objects into your own still life, use
2 lights with 2 colour gels.
Photograph your still life in at least 3
different ways compositionally without
rearranging the objects
Lens 35mm and higher,
https://mcpactions.com/the-ideal-focal-length-for-portraiture-a-photographers-experiment/
VV033
PHOTOGRAPHY
Light and Surfaces
Session 3
ASSIGNMENT 3
Work in the Studio in groups
Submit 3 jpgs
FOLDER: STILL LIFE WITH COLOUR GELS
® PAPER STILL LIFE
Create a 3D object – still life-landscape out of
paper and photograph your still life on a
white or dark backdrop with a continuous
light/lights. Create at least 3 different
light/shadow scenarios without moving the
camera (i.e. use tripod!)
Lens min 35mm
https://mcpactions.com/the-ideal-focal-length-for-portraiture-a-photographers-experiment/
VV033
PHOTOGRAPHY
Light and Surfaces
Session 3
ASSIGNMENT 4 - BONUS
Work in the makeshift studio
in groups
Submit 3 jpgs
FOLDER: PAPER STILL LIFE
Conceptual still life
YOUR OWN 3D OBJECT MADE
FROM PAPER
527165-
Petrekova_Katarina-
composition_with_shado
ws_VV033_1
Conceptual still life
YOUR OWN 3D OBJECT MADE
FROM PAPER
528104-
Balkova_Darina-
528104_Balkova_D
arina_composition
_with_shadow
A GUIDE FOR
CREATIVE
CRITICISM
Be fully present
Participate
Ask Questions
Listen
Agree to Disagree
Allow for Emotions
Be Specific
Be Open-Minded
Be Honest
Mgr. et MgA. Veronika
Lukášová, Ph.D.
VV033 2023
This presentation has been
created for students of
FIMU Brno and cannot be
used or distributed without
a consent of the author.