Gestalten mit Licht und Schatten

Targeted Use of Light
Understand light and create specific moods in images.
From controlled lighting in the studio to daylight and flash.
From individual portraits to lighting techniques in groups, still lifes, landscapes, or architectural subjects.
New in the 4th edition: Links to film clips from the video tutorial "Masterclass Lighting" by Oliver Rausch, including a discount code for the entire tutorial.

Light is the most immediate design element in photography. It evokes emotions and allows viewers to grasp the fundamental mood of the image before they recognize the subject.

Oliver Rausch, co-founder of the Fotoakademie-Köln, demonstrates in "Shaping with Light and Shadow" how to effectively use light according to the image's message and make the subjects appear three-dimensional. Step by step, he conveys an understanding of the phenomenon of light. He analyzes the precise approach, the effects, and common misunderstandings.

He thoroughly explains how to select and position the main type of light and light source to match the fundamental message and mood of the image. This is followed by the use of different light modifiers and contrast adjustments through shadow brightening, and then the image effect is further enhanced by effect and background lighting.

You can initially follow these steps using simple studio portraits, as the light can be particularly controlled in this setting. This trains your eye before you learn to master more complex tasks such as lighting group portraits, working with daylight and flash, as well as lighting techniques in still lifes, landscapes, or architectural subjects.

Practical work by students of the Fotoakademie-Köln vividly illustrates the essential aspects. Additionally, excursions into lighting techniques in well-known films and paintings facilitate understanding, along with links to film clips from the video.