Photography Lighting Principles and Techniques Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Photography practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Photography Lighting Principles and Techniques Questions and Answers flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a fill light in a three-point lighting setup?
Answer: To reduce shadows created by the key light
A fill light is positioned opposite the key light to soften and reduce the shadows cast by the key light without eliminating them entirely.
Which lighting modifier produces the softest light quality on a portrait subject?
Answer: A large octabox placed close to the subject
A large octabox positioned close to the subject creates very soft, wraparound light because the apparent light source size relative to the subject is maximized.
What does the inverse square law describe in photography lighting?
Answer: Light intensity decreases proportionally to the square of the distance
The inverse square law states that light intensity falls off at a rate proportional to the square of the distance from the source, meaning doubling the distance reduces intensity to one quarter.
In studio photography, what is the term for the small, bright reflection visible in a subject's eyes?
Answer: Catchlight
A catchlight is the reflection of a light source in the subject's eyes, adding life and dimension to portrait photographs.
What color temperature in Kelvin is typically associated with standard daylight-balanced studio strobes?
Answer: 5500K
Most studio strobes are calibrated to approximately 5500K, which matches the color temperature of midday sunlight and provides a neutral white light.
Which technique involves using a single light source positioned directly above and slightly in front of the subject to create butterfly-shaped shadows?
Answer: Butterfly lighting
Butterfly lighting, also called paramount lighting, places the key light high and centered above the subject, creating a small butterfly-shaped shadow beneath the nose.