Image Analysis / Quality of Light
Linda Lowell
Santa Barbara City College

Image Analysis:  Identifying 7 distinct qualities of light - specular, diffused, direction, exposure, key, color, and ratio.
Characteristics of Light
Identify the quality of the source light -
Direction - degrees camera left, right or center of key light (ex.: 90 deg. Camera L)
Source as specular - hard shadow edge transfer (pinpoint source)
Source as diffused - soft edge transfer (broad source)
Identify these additional qualities . . .
Exposure Value - Normal, Over, or Under
Brightness Key - High key (all white or pastels), Low key (all dark tones) and Normal Key (everything else)
Color Response - Neutral, Warm, Cool (the color of the source - see specular)
Lighting Ratios - 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8 and 1:8+  (difference between shadow values and highlight values)

Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9
Slide 10
Slide 11
Slide 12
Difficult Images to Analyze
B&W images
Cannot discuss Color Response
Blurred images
Shadow edge and speculars are obliterated
Backlit images / silhouettes
No detail for discussion

Slide 14
Slide 15
Slide 16