Lighting Research

Lighting a photograph well is key to producing a masterpiece. This can also be applied to filming. I conducted some research into lighting so that I can gain ideas and confidence when shooting. I have a studio available which uses light-boxes among other things can will greatly enhance my photos. I can also use natural light (which is more likely) when I go out to report on a story. For filming interviews I have a portable studio that I can easily set up to enhance the natural light. 

Studio 


Why use the studio? The studio allows you to produce something that you had in your minds eye. Studio lighting gives you far more control over the illumination of your subject. You can brighten the photo by simply adjusting a switch, and take the same shot over and over again until it is perfected. However, this can lead to photos looking the same, since everything can be tweaked until its just right, unlike taking a photo outside where a cloud might stray over the subjects face, creating a sense of drama. That is not to say using the studio is a bad thing though. 

The simplest studio lighting set up is the standard two light system. The first light is the brighter of the two, and should be placed in front of the subject (between the subject and the camera) and slightly to my left. The light should be directly facing the subject. Since lighting of this type tends to be harsh, the light will be softened with a soft box. The second light shall be placed behind and slightly above the subject just out of frame. This is called the hair or rim light, and will create a soft halo of light around my subject.


Below is a few things I will be keeping in mind while I plan my shoots.

• Full on lighting can wash out skin tones, so when I am using the studio for taking shots for the poster, or website I will bounce light from the sides. 
• When setting up a shot, I will be on the lookout for shadows that may cast awkward angles across the subject's face. This can also be applied to shooting outdoors as well.

Natural Light


Why use natural light? Shooting outdoors creates a sense of realism. The shot has to be well timed and wont always turn out how it was wanted. Outside the subject reacts to the weather conditions, a sudden gust of wind will make an interesting photograph rather than use a wind machine because of the surprise on the subjects face. Some of the best photographs are taken outside. 


Hard Light

Hard light is best at either end of the day, shortly after the sun has risen and just before it sets. Photographers call this period the golden hour, because of the quality of the light. If the sky is clear, the light is still hard, but it’s a great deal softer than in the middle of the day. It also comes at the subject from a low angle which reveals form and texture and is much more interesting than midday light. Hard light is also good for architecture and bringing out colours.

Soft Light

Soft light describes the type of light that you find in the shade or on a cloudy day. Any shadows have soft edges. Soft light, especially on a cloudy winter’s day, can seem grey and dull, without much potential for photography.Soft light is great for taking photos of people, especially portraits. If you’re outside on a sunny day, taking photos of people, find some shade and take photos of them there. The results will be much better.Soft light is also suitable for taking photos in rainforest and woodland, and for still life and flowers. On a cloudy day, avoid including the sky in your photos – it usually just comes out white.

Backlight

 Backlight is created when the light source is behind the subject. Backlight, like hard light, has lots of contrast. Also like hard light, it’s normally best for photos at the end or the start of the day. Backlighting from the sun at any other time of the day has too much contrast. Backlighting is good for landscapes, portraits and architecture. It’s a powerful, moody, evocative type of lighting. It is very dramatic if combined with weather conditions like mist or fog.

Dramatic Light

Dramatic light is created by dramatic weather such as a thunderstorm. It’s the type of light that you see when the clouds clear after a rain storm, or if the sun breaks through the clouds on a rainy day near sunset.Dramatic light is ideal for photographing landscapes, seascapes and architecture – almost anything outside. If you are confronted with a scene lit by dramatic light, treat it as a gift and take as many photos as you can while it lasts. Dramatic light normally doesn't last very long, and it may not return.




I will use this knowledge combined with my previous research of press photography to create something worthy of being placed on the front page. I have decided that I will place a studio shot image as the main image for my newspaper because this allows me to make sure I can take the perfect photograph. By setting the lighting right and alining the backdrop hopefully my photography will attract a younger audience because it will give the newspaper a fresher feel. This research is key to my project because it allows me to gain knowledge in areas that I normally would dismiss and rely on others to help me. Now I feel more confident in setting up a studio with the right amount of light and hopefully will show this in my upcoming shoots.

Press Photography Research

Press Photographers produce photographs of current events, and the people involved in them, on a daily basis, for national or local newspapers, news magazines and press agencies. Images are invariably shot on location, using hand-held digital cameras with a portable electronic flash, with the photographer also carrying a laptop and a mobile phone so that they can download images directly to the picture desk. Newspapers and press agencies keep abreast of upcoming events so a great deal of Press Photography can be scheduled in advance. However, publications do organise work in shifts so that photographers are always available to cover any breaking news story. The news editor decides which stories to cover, while the picture editor decides how many images will be required and briefs photographers on the type of shots he is looking for. 

The photographer may take a variety of shots, but will generally be expected to present four or five usable pictures for each news story. They are usually under pressure to get from one location to the next and must therefore be organised and efficient. Press Photographers working for local papers need to have the ability to make the mundane or commonplace appear interesting and they are therefore always looking for a fresh "angle".

Newspaper or press photography has a glamorous image based largely on TV documentaries about larger-than-life "paparazzi" (the Italian word for "buzzing insects") whose job it is to capture images of celebrities for the national newspapers and gossip magazines. However the vast majority of Press Photographers are skilful, diplomatic people, who work under pressure to capture the best possible images to document events, tell a story, meet the picture editor's deadlines and help sell the newspaper. Most work for local or provincial newspapers where the photographer covers every possible subject from court proceedings to business stories, hospital openings and village fêtes. On national newspapers it is usual for Press Photographers to specialise in a particular field, such as sports or politics. Press Photographers may be employed by the publication but an increasing number work on commission as freelancers. Most picture editors will consider work offered to them ‘on spec' (speculatively) if it is of a sufficiently high standard or features a subject not covered by their own photographers.

It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words and Press Photographers should therefore have a good understanding of the needs of the publishing industry and have the ability to capture significant moments, without fumbling to select the right lens, aperture or shutter speed. They need expert knowledge of suitable photographic equipment, combined with the ability to recognise a developing situation, and to adopt the right approach, in terms of both positioning and reporting. They must be able to work quickly under pressure, effectively manipulating both equipment and people.  





This research is key to my success because without proper instruction on how to take a good photograph my newspaper will look childish and lack an overall feel of professionalism. Press photography is difficult and the main image on a newspapers front cover will make it stand out, or not, from other newspapers. I have learnt and gained some idea about how to present and capture my own imagery and look forward to becoming more knowledgeable in this area. 

Flat Plans of the Poster

The first idea I had for my newspaper poster was to show two contradicting photos, one above the other, presenting them as you would in a comic book or graphic novel. However after some consideration I believe this to be veering in the wrong direction for my poster. 

The second idea I had played more on the research I had conducted, by using a plain white background and having text presented in different colours. However I also feel now that I need a main image to go alongside my persuasive text therefore this idea isn't the right one for me.

The last idea I have had was to design a poster to something similar to the one below. Using a stamp masthead, which can be photoshoped into something more advisable, and drawing Cornwall inside a cloud this poster could be the right one for me. I like the simple white background alongside the main image, and everything connotes this to be a local newspaper.

Survey Monkey Analysis

This survey monkey questioned my target audience about what they would want to see for a newspaper poster. The results were interesting.

The most important question is the persons age, determining the target audience. Again, because I posted this on Facebook, a social networking site the target audience was young people, since only my friends could view the post.

The gender remained reasonably balanced, which meant there was not much room for a biased opinion, which will allow me to create a product that is well suited for both genders.

The social grade remained along the same lines as last time, which again I was expecting. Nearly all the answers above rarely changed from the previous survey

I wanted to ask this question because if my market research turned out negative against building a poster, and if I were creating a real product, I would have to rethink ways of advertising my newspaper. Fortunately more people thought I should have a poster as a way of advertising my product. 

Gaining some idea about contents of the poster was another key point, because if it showed information that was unneeded or unattractive then it would be a waste of space on the poster. The ideas where interesting, with showing news headlines one of the most popular choices. I will have to take this into consideration when building my poster.

This was another important question for my research because I wanted to make sure that my poster would be utilised to its maximum. 30% of people said that they would not buy the newspaper and 30% said that it would be highly likely that they would buy the newspaper. 

A lot of positive responses came from this question. This is obviously the best way to advertise my newspaper, along with the comment, 'advertise on TV'. 

Overall I believe that making a poster is the best choice to advertise my newspaper and I look forward to building it.