Lighting Basics ※
Tripod
A tripod assists in stabilising a camera. It is recommended to use a tripod where possible to stabilise your camera when shooting studio/indoor model photography. This is due to the indoor light levels and the ability to re-adjust your camera settings without constantly repositioning your camera.
Further information about ABP Tripods can be found here.
Lighting
Artificial lighting is a critical element of studio/indoor model photography. To get the best results, it is recommended to switch off any room lighting in the space you are in and to use a lighting kit to illuminate your space. Further information regarding ABP Lighting can be found here.
When setting up your lighting kit, your aim is to reduce shadows cast upon your model while clearing showing your design. A common technique here is to utilise 2-point or 3-point lighting to illuminate your model.
It is recommended to:
Place lights opposite each other - to avoid casting shadows over your model.
Soften shadows using light position and diffusion (this can be done through adjusting the position of the light, brightness of the light and/or diffusing the light source using a translucent cover).
Not use the camera flash - instead adjust your camera settings and lighting positions to get the best results.
Background
When positioning your model, it is important that your background doesn’t detract from your design. A commonly used background setup is called a ‘sweep’, where a piece of flexible material (including paper or cloth) is hung to remove corners and blemishes from a photograph. The sweep provides a gentle curve up to a vertical surface which is invisible in a photograph; perfect for showcasing your design.
A sweep can be simply set up using a vertical surface and a piece of paper. It is recommended to use the MSD photo studio spaces where possible, which contain a sweep and lighting setup. More information regarding the ABP Photo Studios is available here.
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