Natural and Studio Light

Is This For Real?

Lighting Methods

In this lesson, you will explore the differences between natural light and various studio lighting methods.

Explore: What is the difference between natural and studio lighting?
Challenge: Challenge yourself and test your knowledge of lighting terms and techniques.
Application: Arrange the lights to create

The Basic 6

There are six basic lighting methods. Each is covered in the video and diagrams below. After you learn how to create and capture each of the 6 basic lighting methods then you can begin experimenting with how to combine them and the effects they create.

Each of these lighting methods can be created using natural or artificial (aka studio) lighting – except bottom lighting. This is why bottom lighting creates such a disconcerting mood – it’s not something we encounter in the natural world.

Watch the video below and become acquainted with each of the 6 methods and how to create them.

Light Sources

As mentioned above, natural light, aka sunlight, or artificial (studio) lighting can be used to create any of these lighting designs or methods, except for bottom lighting. Natural and artificial are the two basic umbrella terms for light sources. Each light source has its own pros and cons including color temperature, intensity, duration, and consistency. We’ll explore each of these concepts briefly below.

Click on each of the sources to learn more.

Take a look at the video below to see some basic differences between natural and studio/artificial lighting:

Use the objects below to create the lighting scenario indicated. Click the subject to check your work.

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