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Lighting ratios

Lighting ratios

May 03, 2012

  • Also referred to as contrast ratios

  • Comparing the key to fill yields the lighting ratio

  • Formula for lighting ratio: key PLUS fill divided by fill alone

  • 1:1 no difference (very flat)

  • 2:1 One f-stop (high key)

  • 3:1 One and 2/3 f-stops

  • 4:1 Two f-stops (low key)

  • 8:1 Three f-stops (very low key, pushing the latitude of color negative film)