360 Video Digital Communication & Production
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Every situation has unique lighting
requirements, of course, but Figure 16-45
illustrates a solution for a typical tabletop setup.
The subject and tabletop are bracketed by
very large, bright fl uorescent softlights. These fl
instruments are excellent for this application
because:
• Their 4′ square shape provides an
extremely large source to reduce
shadows.
• Their multiple 40-watt tubes provide a
bright light, permitting smaller f-stops to
create greater depth of field. fi
• Their power requirements are low enough
for use in most locations.
• Their output is cool enough for subject comfort
and for delicate applications, such as food
demonstrations and biology experiments.
LED arrays are even cooler and consume
less power. Because their light is not as soft,
however, they may need added diffusion for
truly shadowless lighting.
Tenting
Where you want completely shadowless
lighting (and do not require great depth of
field), you can use fi tent lighting. By hanging
a white sheet over and around your subject
and aiming lights through it, you can create
the softest possible lighting effects. Tenting
works very well outdoors, with a sheet hung
over a pair of clothesline ropes, Figure 16-46.
Tenting techniques are also useful for lighting
products in commercials, Figure 16-47.
Ring Lights
Where other lighting techniques are
not practical, ring lights can often achieve
comparable effects (Figure 16-48). Because
they surround the lens completely, these lights
throw only one soft shadow, which is typically
masked by the subject in front of it.
Due to their unique shape and mounting position,
ring lights require diffusion and filters that are
designed specifically for them.
Linee Li e e e
Sheet
Seamless
backing
Figure 16-46. A simple tent setup outdoors, using a
bedsheet and clotheslines.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 16-47. A professional tent for small object
photography.
Photoflex
Large La La La rg rg rg e e e source so s s ur ce lightst l ig g g ht s s s
Paper Pa pe r backing ba ck in g
curves from
vertical ve ve rt rt ic ic al al to t t o o
horizontal
Figure 16-45. Tabletop setups use very large, soft lights.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher