Studio Lighting Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real Product 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 Studio Lighting Techniques flashcards as text
What is the inverse square law's practical implication when positioning studio lights for product photography?
Answer: Doubling the distance from light to subject reduces light intensity to one-quarter
The inverse square law states that light intensity falls off by the square of the distance — doubling the distance reduces intensity to 1/4, requiring significant exposure compensation.
When photographing a shiny metal product like a stainless steel thermos, what is the most common technique to control reflections?
Answer: Wrap the product in a light tent or shoot through large diffusion panels
A light tent or large diffusion panels surround the product with soft, even light, eliminating hot spots and unwanted reflections on metallic surfaces.
A 3:1 lighting ratio in product photography means:
Answer: The main light side is three times brighter than the fill side
A 3:1 ratio means the main-lit side of the product receives three times more light than the fill side, creating moderate contrast with visible shadow detail.
What is the function of a grid (honeycomb) attached to a strobe modifier in product photography?
Answer: Control the spread of light and prevent spill onto the background
A grid narrows the beam angle of a light modifier, keeping light focused on the subject and preventing unwanted spill onto the background or other areas.
Which light position is most likely to cause an undesirable 'hot spot' on a product with a glossy finish?
Answer: A bare strobe placed at the same angle as the camera
A bare strobe at the camera axis creates a direct specular reflection on glossy surfaces, appearing as a blown-out hot spot on the product.
What is the advantage of using continuous LED lights over strobe lights for product video content?
Answer: LED lights allow real-time preview of the light effect without test shots
With continuous LED lights, photographers and videographers see the exact lighting effect in real time through the camera, which is critical for video where strobes cannot be used.
In product photography, what does 'color rendering index' (CRI) indicate about a light source?
Answer: How accurately the light renders colors compared to natural sunlight
CRI measures how accurately a light source renders object colors compared to an ideal daylight reference — a CRI of 95+ is recommended for product photography.