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Course Outline & Syllabus
Photographic Light
by Brian Ratty

The Photographic light course is designed for any photographer that wants to better understand light as it applies to photography. The course contains 13 lessons with over 60 tips and instructional points. Additionally there are well over 70 pictures and graphics used as examples of both good and bad light applications. At the end of the workshop you can complete an optional exam that will track your understanding of the techniques used with Photographic Light.

There is two free sample lesson for this workshop. To access the remaining lessons you may obtain a user id and password by registering at Admissions.

This workshop was designed for the
beginner and amateur photographer.

This is a self-paced web workshop containing 64 minutes of instructional video clips and 43 pages of printable text and sample images. 
Warning: This seminar is copyrighted and intended for the personal use of the user. This workshop and/or it's information may not be used in any other public forum.

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The Nature Of Light (Lesson 1)

  • Making Not Taking Pictures
  • The Magic Of Light
  • Brain Vs Eyes
  • The Word Photography

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Light Direction (Lesson 2)

  • Single Shadows
  • The Angle Of Incidence
  • Shape, Dimension, Texture & Color
  • Angles Of Light  

Light Form (Lesson 3)

  • Nature Of Light Source
  • Hard Light
  • Soft Light
  • Medium Light

Light Contrast (Lesson 4)

  • Contrast Quality Of Light
  • Lighting Contrast
  • Subject Contrast
  • Measuring Contrast

Light Color (Lesson 5)

  • The Visible Light Spectrum
  • Changing Color Of Daylight
  • Kelvin Color Temperatures
  • Primary & Complementary Colors  

Exposure Control (Lesson 6)

  • Determining Correct Exposure
  • Camera Exposure Systems
  • Shutter Speeds
  • Aperture Settings

Measuring Light (Lesson 7)

  • Accurately Measuring Light
  • Foot Candles
  • The Inverse Square Law
  • Why Flash Has Limitations  

Light Meters (Lesson 8)

  • Reflective Meters
  • 18% Reflectance Value
  • Incident Meters
  • Sunny f16 Rule

Ratios & Film (Lesson 9)

  • Tonal Control
  • 8:1 Light Ratios
  • 4:1 Light Ratios
  • Film Latitude

Natural Light (Lesson 10)

  • The Sun's Hard Light
  • Using Reflectors
  • Open Shade
  • Flash Fill  

Available Light (Lesson 11)

  • North Light
  • Key - To - Fill Ratios
  • Exposure Limitations
  • Warming Filters

Electronic Flash (Lesson 12)

  • Freezing Action
  • Flash Problems
  • Off Camera Flash
  • Bounce Flash

Artificial Light (Lesson 13)

  • he Controlled Environment
  • The Key Light
  • The Fill Light
  • Infinite Possibilities  

Final Exam

30 Multiple Choice Questions