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US 4,383,287 AGranted
Photography lighting system
OwnerFrank E. Fetteinventor
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OwnerFrank E. Fetteinventor
Estimating the term…
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for illuminating a subject to be photographed wherein the subject is illuminated in such a manner that a uniform highlight is produced upon reflective surface, substantially uniform illumination of the subject is achieved at front and lateral areas, and the background may be modified to lower the background contrast, and if desired, the background may be removed completely. A light source of elongated configuration produces a uniform light source of a vertical dimension greater than the vertical dimension of the subject being photographed. The light source is translated across the subject matter at a predetermined uniform rate while the camera aperture is open while photographing the front and lateral portions of the subject illuminated by the light source. The passing of the light source behind the subject lowers the contrast of the existing background, and such contrast may be sufficient to remove the background completely, if desired. Apparatus for supporting and translating the light source may include a permanent mounting wherein the light source revolves in a circle, or the light source may be mounted upon a portable platform driven by a constant speed motor for producing a uniform displacement of the light source.
The method of lighting a subject being photographed to produce a uniform highlight upon the subject across the width thereof to improve contrast and depth perception wherein the camera includes an aperture and lens controlling the amount of light entering the camera, the subject including front, rear and lateral sides with respect to the camera location, comprising the steps of opening the camera aperture to a predetermined opening, illuminating the subject from a substantially uniform vertically oriented light source having a vertical dimension greater than the vertical dimension of the subject, and translating said light source across the front and lateral sides of the subject at a predetermined rate of movement to illuminate the subject at said front and lateral sides.
The method of lighting a subject being photographed to modify the background wherein the camera includes an aperture and lens controlling the amount of light entering the camera, the subject including front, rear and lateral sides with respect to the camera position, comprising the step of opening the camera aperture to a predetermined setting controlling the amount of light entering the camera, and passing a uniform source of light having a vertical dimension greater than the vertical dimension of the subject at a predetermined rate of movement behind the subject to expose the film to the light source, the setting of the camera aperture determining the brightness of the background.
Apparatus for illuminating a subject to be photographed comprising, in combination, an elongated light source having a height greater than the vertical height of the subject to be photographed having a substantially uniform light intensity output throughout its height and means for supporting said light source for translating said light source in a horizontal direction at a predetermined rate of movement relative to the subject being photographed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.