Fresh Photos with the Bomb Lighting

Dylan Wilson, professor at Augusta University, teaches students about practical and professional fixes for bad lighting.

Photographers nowadays need to be equipped with more than just a camera, according to Dylan Wilson, a photographer professor at Augusta University.

However, tools for photographers can be expensive and burdensome to carry around to photoshoots. Wilson, armed with a few professional and household objects, explains to the conference attendees how lighting can change the quality of their work.

Wilson started by pulling a student aside to take a portrait of them with and without flash, then with an external flash, then with an external flash, a white umbrella and a reflector.

Although all the portraits came out clear and the audience was able to tell what the contents of the photo were with relative ease, the photo with the external flash, umbrella and reflector showed a greater level of depth with intentional shadowing and softer light on the participants face.

But, Wilson explained that not everyone is going to want to bring an umbrella and reflector to every event they need to cover. He implored students to think about different substitutes that can replace professional equipment.

From his satchel, Wilson procured a bottle of nasal spray, with gaffers tape wrapped around it, and a white piece of paper.

He explained that paper could be taped onto any flash to act in place of an umbrella and soften the flash’s intensity. A plastic white shopping bag will work.

Although Wilson said that he does not recommend taking a plastic bag to a more professional shoot, he prompts students to be creative with the tools available to them and they too will produce, “Fresh Photos with the Bomb Lighting.”

Posted on: March 13, 2020Emily Garcia