Friday, August 7, 2009

Use A Light Dome In Studio Photography

Light domes can produce excellent images of jewelry.


Photography requires careful, measured use of light and shadow to produce the desired image. Like paintings, photographs use light and shadow to enhance or diminish certain aspects of the image depending on the photographer's choices. Controlling your light in the studio can prove challenging, but you can use a variety of accessories to make achieving your desired lighting effect easier. The light dome, for example, creates an enclosed space which diffuses light from every angle without the bulkiness of a light box or tent.


Instructions


Assembly








1. Place the padded gasket over the opening at the top of the light dome.


2. Place the base plate over the opening and gasket and screw it in place using the included screws and wrench.


3. Attach the camera bracket to the tripod screw hole at the bottom of a camera. Use a lens that can fit inside the hole at the top of the dome.








4. Insert the camera into the hole at the top of the dome, lens first.


5. Attach the camera bracket to the base plate, securing the camera in place on top of the dome. You may also choose to shoot without the brackets and "free-hand" your images by inserting the lens in the dome and shooting manually.


Use


6. Arrange an object on an even work surface. Use an object small enough to fit inside the dome.


7. Place the dome over the object.


8. Point two photography lights at the dome from opposite sides.


9. Focus on the object, adjust your aperture and shutter speed to produce a balanced exposure and press the shutter button.


10. Review the image.


11. Rearrange the object or adjust the position of the dome in relationship to the object to produce different results.


12. Move the lights around the object or change their distance from the object to alter the image. You may also choose to shut off one light, or work with light from a single direction. Pay attention to the shadows cast by each light hitting the object. Ideally small object photographs should light the object fully for maximum detail.

Tags: also choose, Attach camera, Attach camera bracket, base plate, camera bracket