Lighting Principles and Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real Photography practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Lighting Principles and Techniques flashcards as text
What does 'color temperature' measure in photography lighting?
Answer: The warmth or coolness of light expressed in Kelvin, based on a blackbody radiator scale
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and describes whether light appears warm (lower K, reddish) or cool (higher K, bluish), based on the theoretical blackbody radiator model.
A photographer wants to reduce the contrast between sunlit and shaded areas on an outdoor portrait. Which tool is MOST effective?
Answer: A reflector or fill flash to add light to the shadow areas
A reflector or fill flash adds light to shadow areas, reducing the contrast ratio between highlights and shadows without affecting the bright ambient exposure.
What is 'chiaroscuro' in the context of photographic lighting?
Answer: The use of strong contrasts between light and dark to model three-dimensional form
Chiaroscuro refers to the use of strong contrast between light and dark areas to give the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality, drawn from Renaissance painting techniques.
Which modifier would produce the LARGEST, softest light source in a typical studio setup?
Answer: A large 6-foot octabox
A large 6-foot octabox provides a very large, soft light source due to its size, producing gradual shadow transitions and wraparound light.
What is 'light pollution' in the context of astrophotography night shoots?
Answer: Artificial light from cities that brightens the sky and reduces the visibility of stars
Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by artificial light from urban areas, which washes out faint stars and reduces contrast in astrophotography.
When photographing a product on a white background, a photographer notices dark edges around the object. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: The product is blocking light from reaching the edges of the background, causing underexposure at the edges
Dark edges occur when the subject blocks background light, requiring a separate background light or repositioning to ensure even illumination across the white background.
What advantage does a parabolic reflector offer over a standard flat softbox of similar size?
Answer: It collimates light into a more directional, specular beam while still providing some softness
A parabolic reflector focuses light into a more directional, specular output that travels farther and wraps slightly, combining directionality with gradual fall-off unlike a flat diffusion panel.