Fine-Tuning Your Lighting
by A.B. Russell
eBay Staff Member

By now you've had some time to work with the information I gave you last issue. I hope you've taken a little liberty with the setup, moving the light source up and down and back and forth, relative to the position of your subject. If you have, you'll notice subtle differences in the finished image. Similarly, moving the reflector closer to or farther from the subject will increase or decrease the intensity of the shadows.

This time, let's carry this one step farther. Go ahead and set up the same way you did the last time, except for the reflector. Instead, put tracing paper where the reflector was. Then place your light sources on either side of the subject.

This change will give you the opportunity for even more variations. If you use bulbs of different wattage on the two different sides, for instance, you can get shadows similar to the soft shadows you saw using the reflector. For a truly shadow-free effect, you will want to use the same size light on either side and place your subject in the middle between the two. Be sure to have your light sources an equal distance from the subject.

If you're seeing hot spots on the subject due to the reflection of the lights, you may want to try putting tracing or butcher paper over the top of these subjects. In this case, I've placed a reflector over the top of the setup. This helps decrease those hot spots. If you prefer, you can bounce the light sources into the reflectors to soften the light. You could also use a second layer of tracing or butcher paper, leaving an inch or more between the layers. This will diffuse and soften the light even more. Remember, though, that these steps may decrease the effective amount of light reaching the subject.

If you're using household light bulbs, these are not as strong. You may want to try redirecting your lights, so that they're not shining directly on your subject.

You will probably find it necessary, particularly when using film, to use a tripod. I recommend using a tripod any time your shutter speed is slower than the speed of sound, if possible. Many other photographers recommend using a tripod at anything slower than 1/60 second. If a tripod isn't an option for you, try placing the camera on a table or other flat surface, or bracing yourself so that any involuntary motion is minimized.

When you're making photos with these techniques, please remember to keep safety in mind. The light bulbs you're using will get quite hot. The paper is likely quite flammable, and if you touch the hot bulbs, you will be burned. I know that from experience.

In case you've been following my column and have been wondering, I am creating each of these setups as I write the articles. I use exactly the same equipment that I've recommended you use. I'm not using any special photographic lighting.

If you've been able to follow along and use the information I've given you, you're probably beginning to see that these techniques will yield results that are much more like those from professional photographers. In the next few months, we'll continue to look at ways to make the photos in your eBay listings help you sell your items.