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Huntington student-photographers have been learning and experimenting with GOBO lighting photography 

Huntington Photographers Learn About Gobo Lighting

March 6, 2024

Huntington High School photography students learned all about gobo lighting during a recent lesson. The term is short for “go between optics” and the teenagers in the class quickly went about striving to master the concept.

Huntington student-photographers have been learning and experimenting with GOBO lighting photography

“A gobo is something that goes before or between your light source and your subject,” Pamela Piffard, the art teacher who leads the high school’s photography program, told her students. “It’s a stencil or device that creates patterns using light. People have used it since the early days of theatre. But it also has found its way as one of the most creative tools in photography. Photographers often use gobos to recreate window scenes even when there aren’t any in the room.

Ms. Piffard went on to explain how to set up a gobo photo shoot and provided examples of the lighting that results and its effect on the photos themselves.

Students also learned about related “shadow photography.” The teenagers ate it all up. Many of them are already advanced, if not downright gifted.

The teacher issued her students a three part “photo challenge” that involved a pair of photo shoots.

“Part No. 1 is to take and submit at least 15 photos using a gobo in class to create patterns of shadow and light on your subject,” Ms. Piffard said. “Photo shoot No. 2 is to take and submit at least 15 photos using a gobo at home to create patterns of shadow and light on your subject. You are required to bring in at least one item to use as a gobo. Get creative. What objects can you find to use for your photoshoot? This will count in your grade. Yes, you may bring items in and store them here. Yes, you many borrow or share, but each person is responsible for bringing in at least one thing.”

The final part involves students importing their images and editing their four favorites in Photoshop.

Did the Huntington students learn their lesson well? Review a sampling of their photos and decide for yourself.