Basic Photography Course

Figure 8-5.Using bounce light to control reflections.

BOUNCE LIGHTING.

When a white surface is

low enough, you should direct the light sources upward
so diffused light bounces off the surface onto the original
(fig. 8-5). When the surface is too high or other than
white, it may be possible to use a white reflector
positioned horizontally over the upturned lights. This
reflector could be a large sheet of white cardboard.

POLARIZED LIGHTING.

The most efficient

method of eliminating unwanted reflections in copy
work is by using polarized light. In regular photography,
a polarizing filter is placed over the camera lens to
subdue reflections. This works because the light from
the sun is polarized as it passes through the atmosphere

and is reflected by the object being photographed. Using
a polarizing filter over the lens only does not greatly
reduce unwanted reflections in copy work. In copying,
polarizing screens must be used over the lights as well
as a polarizing filter over the lens.

When polarized light is used in copying, a con-

siderable increase in exposure is required. This exposure
increase is from about 10 to 16 times the normal
exposure required with the same lights without
polarizing screens. The exact increase is best deter-
mined through a series of exposure tests.

Reflections caused by flare are common with dirty

or poor quality lenses. When available, lenses designed
for copy work should be used, and like all lenses, they
should always be kept clean.

DETERMINING EXPOSURE

Like all other types of photography, in copying there

are various factors that must be considered when
calculating exposure. You must consider the nature of
the original-its color and brightness, the intensity of the

light source, the film speed, the filter factor, and the
object-to-image ratio or bellows extension

Color and Brightness

Light-shaded or light-toned originals reflect more

light than dark originals. Thus, with the same lighting
setup, dark originals require more exposure than light
originals. The amount of exposure compensation
depends on the darkness or lightness of the original.
When TTL (through the lens) metering is read directly
from the original, a dark original may require twice the
exposure of a standard exposure, and a light original
may require less than 50 percent of a standard exposure.
You should always use a gray or white card to determine
the exposure more accurately.

Intensity of Illumination

Intensity of illumination at the copyboard can be

controlled by placing the lamps closer or farther from
the copyboard, by using lamps of different light intensity
output, or by reducing the intensity of illumination by
diffusing the light.

The best method for measuring illumination

intensity at the copyboard is with an exposure meter. An
exposure meter is particularly useful when the copy
lights are moved or changed from the positions used to
calculate a standard exposure.

The recommended ISO film speeds or exposure

indices of copy films apply directly when an incident
meter is used or when a reflected meter reading is taken
of an 18 percent gray card at the copyboard. When a gray
card is not available, a reflected meter reading of a matte
white surface with about 90 percent reflectance can be
taken. The back of white photo paper provides this
reflectance. When a white surface is used to calculate an
exposure, the ISO or exposure index of the film should
be divided by 5 and rounded off to the nearest setting on
the meter. For example: when the ISO is 32, divide by
5 and use 6 or the nearest setting on the meter. You also

may take the meter reading directly without changing

the ISO and increase the exposure by two f/stops.
Remember, exposure meters are calibrated to produce
middle gray regardless of the light reflectance ability of
the subject. Thus the light reflectance ability of an
original should be considered in determining an
exposure.

The exposure indices, given for high contrast

materials used in line copy work, are intended for trial
exposures, even when an exposure meter is used.

8-16

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Basic Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> Figure 8-5.Using bounce light to control reflections. BOUNCE LIGHTING. When a white surface is low enough, you should direct the light sources upward so diffused light bounces off the surface onto the original (fig. 8-5). When the surface is too high or other than white, it may be possible to use a white reflector positioned horizontally over the upturned lights. This reflector could be a large sheet of white cardboard. POLARIZED LIGHTING. The most efficient method of eliminating unwanted reflections in copy work is by using polarized light. In regular photography, a polarizing filter is placed over the camera lens to subdue reflections. This works because the light from the sun is polarized as it passes through the atmosphere and is reflected by the object being photographed. Using a polarizing filter over the lens only does not greatly reduce unwanted reflections in copy work. In copying, polarizing screens must be used over the lights as well as a polarizing filter over the lens. When polarized light is used in copying, a con- siderable increase in exposure is required. This exposure increase is from about 10 to 16 times the normal exposure required with the same lights without polarizing screens. The exact increase is best deter- mined through a series of exposure tests. Reflections caused by flare are common with dirty or poor quality lenses. When available, lenses designed for copy work should be used, and like all lenses, they should always be kept clean. DETERMINING EXPOSURE Like all other types of photography, in copying there are various factors that must be considered when calculating exposure. You must consider the nature of the original-its color and brightness, the intensity of the light source, the film speed, the filter factor, and the object-to-image ratio or bellows extension Color and Brightness Light-shaded or light-toned originals reflect more light than dark originals. Thus, with the same lighting setup, dark originals require more exposure than light originals. The amount of exposure compensation depends on the darkness or lightness of the original. When TTL (through the lens) metering is read directly from the original, a dark original may require twice the exposure of a standard exposure, and a light original may require less than 50 percent of a standard exposure. You should always use a gray or white card to determine the exposure more accurately. Intensity of Illumination Intensity of illumination at the copyboard can be controlled by placing the lamps closer or farther from the copyboard, by using lamps of different light intensity output, or by reducing the intensity of illumination by diffusing the light. The best method for measuring illumination intensity at the copyboard is with an exposure meter. An exposure meter is particularly useful when the copy lights are moved or changed from the positions used to calculate a standard exposure. The recommended ISO film speeds or exposure indices of copy films apply directly when an incident meter is used or when a reflected meter reading is taken of an 18 percent gray card at the copyboard. When a gray card is not available, a reflected meter reading of a matte white surface with about 90 percent reflectance can be taken. The back of white photo paper provides this reflectance. When a white surface is used to calculate an exposure, the ISO or exposure index of the film should be divided by 5 and rounded off to the nearest setting on the meter. For example: when the ISO is 32, divide by 5 and use 6 or the nearest setting on the meter. You also may take the meter reading directly without changing the ISO and increase the exposure by two f/stops. Remember, exposure meters are calibrated to produce middle gray regardless of the light reflectance ability of the subject. Thus the light reflectance ability of an original should be considered in determining an exposure. The exposure indices, given for high contrast materials used in line copy work, are intended for trial exposures, even when an exposure meter is used. 8-16 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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