Illuminations: Tabletop Lighting (page 2)

What do you do if you have to light a smooth black or shiny surface? Using the idea that all light will reflect back a mirror image of itself, the best way to light these objects is by bouncing light off a white card. The light's reflection or highlight will actually fill the surface of the object and not create any glaring hot spots. You can even control the intensity of the light so that it gradually falls off, revealing a more three-dimensional shape. For black objects, this method gives the black surface a gray tint without losing the dark black and separates it from a darker background.

You can also light bottles and glasses by reflecting with a bounce card. Instead of harsh bright spots from the direct reflection of the light, you can fill a side of the bottle with the highlight created by the bounced light. For lighting a shiny object with beads of water on it, use a second small hard light a little above and beside the camera to create shiny little spots on the drops. Use glycerin instead of water to create bigger, more defined drops. Make sure the second light is less intense, so it just adds a tiny glint to the droplets for a three-dimensional look.

To read an LCD screen or a watch that is lit using a bounce card, move your hand along the card to find where the shadow falls on the watch face or LCD screen. On the white card, place a piece of gaffer's tape the shape of the watch face to create a shadow that enables you to see the screen, but doesn't reduce the light on the rest of the watch or other object.

If your object is very three-dimensional, think of it as a tiny face and use standard three-point lighting with a key back and fill. Use the techniques above for your key and fill lights and don't forget the background. Grab the flowers left over from Valentine's Day and shine a light through them to cast a shadow behind your subject - instant texture!

Whatever the object, whatever your need, a good imagination and a strong understanding of lighting basics will take you a long way. Paint with light and shadow and don't forget color! White balance under white lights but add a dash of color to the background or the specular highlight. Bring your images to life and have fun!.

Robert G. Nulph is an independent video/film producer/director and teaches video production courses at the college level.

So you want to make the burger you are shooting look really hot and juicy? Juicy is easy - use a small hard light set up near the camera to give you nice sparkly spectral highlights in the juice (add a bit of water or glycerin if needed). The steam is harder. To see smoke or steam, you have to light it from behind. Place some mild incense sticks behind or in the burger and add a small hard light behind it, just out of the camera shot. If the background is fairly dark and you are careful to flag the light off the front of the smoke, you will get a very nice rising steam.

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