Fundamentals of Lighting (Lighting I)

Class begins Wed. January 7th

Class Details
  • Registration
  • Student Level
    Intermediate
  • Course Length
    7 weeks
  • Start Date
    Wednesday January 7th
  • Time
    7pm to 9pm.
  • Instructor
  • Cost
    $350 - Due at the start of the first class
  • Prerequisite
    Photo I or equivalent
  • Location
    3301 N Lincoln - map
  • By Car
    Main Junction Belmont and Lincoln
  • Public Transport
    Brown Line or #11 Bus - CTA System Map

Subject lighting is a precise science that portraitists have refined over centuries. In order to create a top quality portrait, photographers must learn and master the fundamental techniques of studio lighting. Fundamentals of Lighting (Lighting I) is a seven week class designed to empower you to take complete control of lighting to create traditional, practical lighting scenarios in a studio environment.

This highly technical class emphasizes the following concepts:

  • Achieving precise exposure using a handheld light meter
  • Using one, two, three and four light sources to create formal portraits
  • Controlling facial shadows and lighting contrast ratios
  • Keeping it in key (basically, matching the tone of the subject, background and lighting mood unless there is a good reason to do otherwise)
  • Achieving a consistent, repeatable exposure on every shot
  • Mastering lighting controls

Classes consist of three parts:

  1. Lecture and lighting demonstration,
  2. Shooting assignment, photographed in the CPC lighting studio (outside of class hours),
  3. Discussion and analysis of the previous week's assignment.

You must have completed at least Photo I or its equivalent to take Fundamentals of Lighting; you should be completely comfortable with controlling camera aperture and shutter speed.

You must provide your own SLR camera, including a lens with a fast aperture (f2.8 or faster). Digital SLR cameras are preferred. CPC provides tripods, exposure meters and all studio lighting equipment.

Once you’ve mastered Fundamentals of Lighting, you may want to consider signing up for Creative Portraiture and Lighting.