How to Light a Texture to Be Photographed

Placing light to create small shadows is the best way to light textures.

Knowing how to properly light an object is an important property in photography. Studio photographers have the ability to control the amount of light created by their strobes and to control the direction of that light. Being able to control the direction of the light is a key element whenever you wish to illustrate the texture of an object. Whether the object you are photographing is a small item or a larger subject, the technique used is the same.

Instructions

1. Observe the item you will be photographing to determine where the texture is the greatest or the location on the item that you want to photograph.

2. Attach your camera to a tripod and position the camera one to three feet directly in front of the object where the texture is the greatest.

3. Look through the viewfinder and confirm that the composition is what you are looking for and that the object you are photographing fills the frame to your satisfaction.

4. Position your studio light or external flash directly to the side of the object so it runs across the front of the object you are photographing. Placing the light here will illuminate the object's texture.

5. Turn the studio light or external flash on and take a test photograph, reviewing the picture on your digital camera’s rear liquid crystal display screen. Adjust the position of the light to increase or decrease the amount of texture in your pictures.

Tips & Warnings

• If you place a studio light or external flash in the same position as the camera, the flash will fill in all of the crevices, resulting in a picture in which the object appears very flat.

References

• LearnMyShot; Photography Lighting Technique to Show Texture; Sasha Gitin
• Digital Photography School; Using Light to Create Texture in Your Photography; Darren Rowse