Soft Photo Lighting

June 17, 2011
Second Instalment

Soft Photo Lighting

Soft photo lighting simply refers to light that is not direct, as from the sun or an artificial light.

The light can be bounced off a white reflector, or "softened" by the use of a white bedsheet, or the "softbox" that I will show you below. 

The softboxes can be purchased at any pro photo store, or on E-Bay.

Photo # 1

A Softbox Purchased on E-Bay

You can make such an with wood by simply doing an Internet search for "Photo Softbox".

Photo # 2

1 Light from the Left side (Please see its' position in Photo # 1)

Photo # 3

 1 Light from the Right side (Please see its' position in Photo # 1)

Photo # 4

The 2 lights together

Photo # 5

The 2 lights together, with a silver reflector from the front

Notice "extra" reflections on the silver boiler of the firetruck, and a faint  reflection on the door and front right fender

Photo # 6

The reflector in use*.

* Always try to have a support for any reflector so you don't shake the platform that the object being photographed is on. This is a poor photo technique!

Photo # 7

2 reflectors in use*.

Photo # 7

2 reflectors in use*.

* Always try to have a support for any reflector so you don't shake the platform that the object being photographed is on. This is a poor photo technique!

The diffused lighting makes it easier for the object to be photographed.

You don;t have too much contrast of very bright and very dark areas (shadows).

The reflectors are extra bright areas called "highlights" on to the small firetruck.

Where do you get the reflectors?

I go to any arts and crafts store and purchase the reflectors in sheets of 32" x 40" (81cm x 101.5 cm).

I then purchase mountboard (styrofoam in the centre with paper on the outside). 

You can also use large packaging cardboard.

Purchase a spray glue or rubber cement, follow the instructions, and then glue the reflector material to the mountboard or packaging box material.

Use your hands or a roller to smooth out any air bubbles and have the 2 materials stick together.

I then cut the reflectors to different sizes, especially since am  uncut one is much too large to work with.

For "softer" reflectors, you can purchase a clear matte spray manufactured by the Krylon company.

It will take away the bright shine, and create a less-rellective matte surface.

Finishing Remarks:

1. You can enlarge any image by double-clicking it.

2. Ask me any question in the comment sections of any article

3. You can even suggest articles that you might like for me to write about

My e-mail address is 

majortrout@gmail.com