Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:38 PM AWST

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Explore the descriptive and emotive nature of photo lighting

Explore the descriptive and emotive nature of photo lighting

Unit of competency
National Code
CUVPHI503A
State Code
D1205
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/04/2008
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/08/2009
Field of Education
100303 - Photography
Original Release Date
26/08/2009
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to produce creative and innovative photoimages using photo lighting principles.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Research light and its relationship to photoimaging.
  • 1.1 Identify and review historical and contemporary lighting techniques and technology for descriptive and emotive lighting.1.2 Identify and review contemporary theories on the nature of light for descriptive and emotive lighting.1.3 Identify and review photoimaging lighting technologies and their response to light.
  • 1.4 Evaluate currency/credibility of information gathered and ensure research scope is sufficiently broad.1.5 Prepare a shoot list for a range of lighting experiments and confirm lighting techniques and schema with appropriate person/s.
2 Experiment with light and resolve lighting problems for complex subjects.
  • 2.1 Source and apply shoot requirements to identified range of lighting experiments.2.2 Explore interior and exterior subjects in a range of locations in the experimental process.2.3 Apply OHS processes and standards in the experimental process.2.4 Apply lighting techniques and technology in the experimental process.2.5 Review performance and adapt lighting techniques and technology in the experimental process.
3 Apply descriptive and emotive lighting in a photoimaging context.
  • 3.1 Produce a series of photoimages using appropriate lighting techniques and technology.3.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of lighting techniques and technology in the production of photoimages.3.3 Wrap up process and reinstate equipment.3.4 Catalogue, store and maintain research reference material and work samples.3.5 Identify future opportunities, work directions, equipment needs and workflow changes resulting from application of photo lighting principles.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Lighting techniques and technology may include:
candles, matches and firelight
car headlights/car light trails
film, television and theatre
fireworks and sparklers
galleries and displays
Kirlian imagery
natural light, including:
lightning
sunlight/starlight
aurora
photography/imaging lighting for studio/location
Schlieren

street lights
supplementary/mixed lighting situations where images are made by ambient and supplemental illumination to:
create colour effects
enhance the colour depth of the subject
emphasise parts of the subject
balance the contrast that may be apparent from the principal illumination
torches and spotlights
ultrasound
ultraviolet and infrared sources
x-rays, gamma rays.

Theories on the nature of light may include:
human vision
the nature of light, including:
colour temperature
electromagnetic spectrum
natural light phenomena
reflection and absorbance
terms used to define light quality and direction
the inverse square law.

Photoimaging lighting technologies may include:
digital sensors
dynamic range of input (capture) device and tonal clipping of output (printing) device
exposure determination methods and devices:
digital histograms
dynamic range
lighting ratios
film emulsions
merge to HDR
meter types:
colour temperature
flash meter
hand-held
in-camera
spot

metering methods:
colour and resolution targets
evaluative
grey cards
incident
off-the-film
reflective
metering modes:
centre-weighted averaging
matrix
spot
natural/ambient light:
afterglow
corpuscular rays (God beams and columns)
mercury and sodium vapour lights
mist and fog
moonlight
rain and storm
rainbows
smoke and haze
sunlight
sunrise and sunset
reciprocity failure
scan backs
shooting in RAW

studio and location lighting technology:
combined ambient and flash
electronic flash
high-speed flash
multi-flash and strobe
painting with light
southlight/northlight opening for natural light
tungsten and photoflood
use of gels to colour light sources
use of transparent and translucent surfaces to place subjects on for shadowless effects
tungsten, incandescent and fluorescent
zone system.

Appropriate persons may include:
members of relevant professional associations
mentors/peers
practising photographers, photoimagists or members of allied fields.

Shoot requirements may include:
hiring lighting and ancillary equipment
locating specialist lighting technical experts
obtaining legal access to locations (e.g. permits, site licences) and/or specialist lighting technology
upgrading skills to operate specialist lighting technology and/or work in hazardous locations.

A range of locations may include:
agricultural/rural
commercial/industrial
indoors
natural landscape
studio
underwater
urban.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to research, identify, test and apply lighting techniques and technology
ability to implement OHS/quality control procedures when applying lighting techniques and technology
ability to review personal performance when applying lighting techniques and technology.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to a range of locations and studios for photoimaging shoots
access to a range of photoimaging production equipment (e.g. cameras, computers, software, printers, studios, lighting and accessories)
access to sources of information on allied industries' lighting techniques and technology
access to sources of information on lighting techniques and technology (e.g. magazines, newspapers, libraries, internet)
opportunity for collaboration with or in allied industries (e.g. scientific, technical, film, television, theatre)
access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

the use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate
direct observation of candidate applying lighting techniques and technology, implementing OHS/quality control processes and meeting deadlines
case studies to assess candidate's ability to evaluate lighting techniques and technology and their suitability to historical and contemporary contexts and themes
problem solving activities to assess candidate's critical thinking skills.


Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVPHI501A Research role and use of the photoimage in visual communication
CUVPHI502A Research and exploit photoimaging trends
CUVPHI504A Investigate and exploit innovative imaging options.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
S7718 CUVPHI518A Explore the descriptive and emotive nature of photo lighting Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D208 CUV50407 Diploma of Photoimaging Qualification