Unit 3: Camera operation & lighting
Fashion Photography notes · PTU syllabus (BSTD 208-20)
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Unit summary
Light shapes form, texture and mood. This unit covers camera operation, lighting techniques and effects, and accessories.
After this unit you can
- Operate a camera in manual mode
- Set up key, fill and back lighting
- Use reflectors, diffusers and tripods
PTU syllabus topics
- Functioning of the camera
- lighting techniques and effects
- camera accessories
Aperture (f-stop)
Light and depth of field
Shutter speed
Light and motion blur
ISO
Sensor sensitivity and noise
Topic 1
Lighting techniques
- Key light
- Main light that sets the exposure and shadows
- Fill light
- Softens shadows from the key
- Back (rim) light
- Separates the subject from the background
- Background light
- Lights the backdrop evenly
Key at 45° to one side, fill at lower intensity on the other side, back light behind to give edge separation
| Light | Effect |
|---|---|
| Soft (diffused) | Gentle shadows, flattering for skin and drape |
| Hard (direct) | Strong shadows, shows texture and weave |
| Natural window light | Soft and directional; free |
| Flash | Freezes motion; can look flat if direct |
Topic 2
Camera operation and accessories
Modes: Auto (camera decides), Aperture priority (A/Av), Shutter priority (S/Tv) and Manual (M). Accessories: tripod (sharpness), reflector (bounces light), diffuser (softens), lens hood (reduces flare), remote shutter, light meter.
Key terms
- Key light
- Main source of light
- Fill light
- Reduces shadows
- Rim light
- Light from behind
- Diffuser
- Softens light
- Reflector
- Bounces light onto the subject
Quick revision
- Three-point lighting: key, fill, back.
- Soft light flatters; hard light shows texture.
- Tripods and reflectors improve results.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.What is a key light?
- Q2.Why use a diffuser?
- Q3.Name two accessories.
- Q4.What is aperture priority?
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain three-point lighting with a labelled diagram.
- Q2.Discuss camera modes and accessories.
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