Raking Light Photography
Raking or tangential light photography is an imaging technique that uses oblique angle lighting. In the case of raking light imaging, the object is lit by a light source positioned at a very shallow angle relative to the object’s surface (usually 5°-10°). This should take place in a darkened room.
This technique is extremely useful for the study of an object’s surface topography as it helps reveal any planar distortions or other deformations which would otherwise be invisible under normal lighting conditions. Raking light photography can also reveal information on how the artist originally applied the paint layers and whether or not the object has previously been subjected to unrecorded treatments.
Finally, this technique can be performed to both the recto (front side) and the verso (back side) of the artwork. The object can also be lit from the left or the right and from the bottom or the top.
Raking light photography procedure
- Position your object on the easel.
- Set up your tripod and the Canon EOS 6D camera as usual.
- Adjust the height of the easel and properly frame your shot.
- Remember to correct the white balance of the camera accordingly. To adjust the white balance, press the “Q” button on the back of the camera and use the wheel to navigate to the white balance settings. To confirm your settings, press the “Set” button twice.
- Make sure the camera’s programme is set to “Av”, the aperture value to 8.0 (f/8.0) and your ISO value to 200.
- Position the light source used for raking light photography at a shallow angle with respect to your object.
- Make sure your light source is as far from your object as possible, i.e. at the edge of the room.
- Try to find the best lighting position before you start photographing your object. In the case of raking light photography always aim for the most oblique angle as well as an even illumination of your object!
- Switch off the lights in the room.
- Proceed with photographing your object.
- When finished, switch off your light sources.