Photography Lighting Principles and Techniques 5

Question 1

What effect does adding a grid (honeycomb) to a softbox or beauty dish have on the light?

Accepted Answer

It narrows and focuses the light, reducing spill onto surrounding areas

Answer

A grid narrows the beam angle of light from a modifier, controlling where the light falls and preventing unwanted spill onto backgrounds or other subjects.

Question 2

During 'blue hour' photography, what unique lighting condition exists that makes it popular for architectural and cityscape shoots?

Accepted Answer

The sky provides a deep blue ambient light that balances closely with artificial building lights in exposure

Answer

Blue hour occurs just after sunset (or before sunrise) when the sky produces a cool blue ambient light whose brightness is close to artificial building lights, allowing both to be exposed well simultaneously.

Question 3

What is 'fill light' and what is its primary function in a portrait lighting setup?

Accepted Answer

A secondary light that reduces shadows created by the key light without eliminating them entirely

Answer

Fill light is a secondary, less powerful light source used to reduce but not eliminate the shadows created by the key light, controlling the overall contrast ratio of the portrait.

Question 4

A photographer is shooting a glass product on a black background and getting unwanted reflections on the glass surface. Which technique best minimizes this problem?

Accepted Answer

Using a polarizing filter on the camera lens and rotating it to reduce specular reflections

Answer

A circular polarizing filter, when rotated to the correct angle, suppresses specular reflections on non-metallic surfaces like glass, dramatically reducing unwanted glare.

Question 5

What does 'flat lighting' refer to in portrait photography?

Accepted Answer

Lighting that comes from directly behind the camera, minimizing shadows and creating even, dimensionless illumination

Answer

Flat lighting positions the light source near the camera axis so that little to no shadow falls on the subject, producing even but dimensionless illumination that minimizes skin texture.

Photography Practice Test

Photography Practice Test

Photography Lighting Principles and Techniques 5