Course Outline for Photography 3C
Advanced Studio Lighting: Product & Still Life

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 10/09/2021

Catalog Description:

PHOT 3C - Advanced Studio Lighting: Product & Still Life

3.00 Units

Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of product and still-life photography. Students will explore lighting and design methods specific to still-life. Advanced strobe lighting techniques will be used in the studio and on-location to create dynamic product shots.
Prerequisite: PHOT 3A or PHOT 64A Strongly Recommended: PHOT 3B.
CB03: TOP Code 1012.00 - Applied Photography*
Course Grading: Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 2.00 36.00 72.00 108.00
Laboratory 1.00 72.00 0.00 72.00
Total 3.00 108.00 72.00 180.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. practice advanced methods and techniques for lighting product and still-life subjects using artificial light sources, in the studio or on-location;
  2. advanced use and maintenance of studio strobes, power packs, hot lights, and moonlights for product and still-life photography, in the studio or on-location;
  3. describe, measure and manipulate the qualities of light for creative product and still-life photography;
  4. practice advanced metering techniques using electronic flash or studio strobe lights for product and still-life photography;
  5. utilize electronic flash or studio strobe lights to capture and define motion for creative still-life;
  6. assemble objects and subjects to create unique arrangements for product and still-life compositions;
  7. proper care, assembly, safe use, and takedown of lighting equipment in the studio and on-location;
  8. measure and control light on multiple grounds to create a strong figure ground relationship;
  9. critically analyze and discuss light, still life and product photography using advanced terminology in a critique environment.

Course Content:

  1. Advanced lighting techniques for product and still-life photography
    1. Studio
    2. On-location
  2. Proper use and maintenance of studio equipment in the studio and on-location;
    1. Electronic flash
    2. Hot lights
    3. Strovbe lights
    4. Power packs
    5. Monolight
  3. Measuring and manipulating the qualities of light
    1. Brightness
    2. Color
    3. Contrast
    4. Direction
  4. Strobe light metering techniques
    1. Handheld light meters
    2. Ambient light
    3. Controlled light
  5. Unique characteristics of strobe lights for creative product and still life
    1. Daylight balanced
    2. Stop-motion
    3. Strobe effects
  6. Still-life compositions and arrangement
    1. Scale
    2. Texture
    3. Color Relationships
    4. Minimalism and maximilism
  7. Care, assembly, safe use, and takedown of lighting equipment
    1. Studio
    2. On-location
  8. Lighting multiple grounds in a still-life composition
    1. Foreground
    2. Midground
    3. Backgroun d
    4. Figure-ground relationship
  9. Critique photographs using advanced terminology for light, still-life and product phtoography
    1. Product and still-life terms
    2. Advanced lighting methods

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Class and group discussions
  2. Demonstration
  3. Distance Education
  4. Independent Study
  5. Laboratory exercises
  6. Lecture/Discussion
  7. Online Assignments
  8. Portfolio Development
  9. Studio

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Minimalist to maximalist. Use a minimalist composition to photograph a single subject. Add objects to the still-life, taking a photograph after each one is added until nothing more can fit into the image frame. Alternatively, start with a maximalist composition and remove objects until you are left with only a single subject remaining.
  2. Movement and stillness. Use a long exposure of at least 30 seconds to take a still life composition. During the exposure find a way to incorporate movement into the photograph, consider how the movement will be rendered visually. Use low key continuous lighting to keep from overexposing the subject.
  3. 99 cents. Purchase a product from a 99 cent store. Consider the shape, color and texture of the product and how that will translate in a photograph. Create an advertising campaign centered around the product. Photograph it in multiple studio environments using creative lighting for each setup.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Class Work
  2. Critique
  3. Final Examination or Project
  4. Homework
  5. Lab Activities
  6. Online Assignments
  7. Portfolios
  8. Projects
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. proficiency using product and still-life photography techniques for arrangement and lighting subjects with a multiple-light setup, both in the studio and on location;
  2. technical mastery using studio lighting equipment specific to product and still-life photography. Single-light and multiple-light setups including; electronic flash, static lights/hot lights, and strobe lights;
  3. demonstrate personal artistic expression using dynamic imagery, creative compositions and conceptual meaning.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Earnest, A (2019). The New Lighting for Product Photography: The Digital Photographer's Step-by-Step Guide to Sculpting with Light Amherst Media.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Advanced studio lighting course that emphasizes technical and conceptual aspects of product and still-life photography.
Prerequisite: PHOT 3A or PHOT 64A Strongly Recommended: PHOT 3B.