Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:41 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:41 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Apply photo imaging lighting techniques
Apply photo imaging lighting techniques
Unit of competency
National Code
CUVPHI403A
CUVPHI403A
State Code
S7713
S7713
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/11/2014
Field of Education
100303 - Photography
Original Release Date
06/11/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select and apply lighting to a range of subjects in different work spaces.Testing and tagging of electrical equipment must be carried out by a person with the relevant certificate of competency according to the performance specifications of Australian Standard 3760: 2000 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and Australian Standard 3002: 1985 Electrical installations - shows and carnivals.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Set up lighting for photo shoot
- 1.1. Confirm lighting characteristics required for subjects in consultation with relevant personnel as required
- 1.2. Select lighting equipment and accessories that best fit the purpose of images
- 1.3. Determine work environment needs
- 1.4. Select appropriate camera system and accessories
- 1.5. Correctly assemble camera and lighting systems according to work requirements
- 1.6. Undertake work with due regard to safety considerations
- 1.7. Use equipment and materials in a manner that minimises waste
2. Light subjects
- 2.1. Position models and props as required
- 2.2. Test lighting techniques to determine their fitness for purpose
- 2.3. Adjust, modify and calibrate camera settings to meet lighting requirements
- 2.4. Work collaboratively with others when required to meet timelines associated with photo shoots
3. Complete and review shoot
- 3.1. Capture images using appropriate camera features
- 3.2. Review images against work requirements and adjust lighting as required
- 3.3. Document work process as required
4. Complete post-shoot activities
- 4.1. Safely clean and restore work environment to its original state
- 4.2. Clean and maintain equipment according to manufacturer instructions
- 4.3. Report damage to equipment according to organisational procedures
- 4.4. Safely transport and store equipment and materials and ensure readiness for future use
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.
Subjects may include people or objects photographed for purposes, such as:
photo-documentary:
the built environment
the natural environment
portraiture:
formal
candid
scientific
medical
technical
still life.
Relevant personnel may include:
supervisor
manager
client
art director
designer:
set designer
costume designer
production designer
director
production manager
make-up and hair personnel
model.
Lighting equipment and accessories may include:
fibre optics
floor pack electronic flash systems
French flags and gobos
light-modifying devices:
scrims
umbrellas
honeycombs and grids
soft boxes
reflectors
light absorbers
portable (monobloc type) systems
portable electronic flash
portable photoflood and tungsten light systems
exposure:
grey card readings
incident/reflective readings
lighting ratio and brightness range readings
off the film (OTF) and through the lens (TTL) plane metering
spot meter readings
light-sensitive materials:
different types of film and electronic sensors
response of light-sensitive material to different colours of light source
light sources:
candle flame and other ambient low light sources
fluorescent lighting
incandescent, tungsten and photoflood
metallogenic and discharge lamps
ultraviolet and infra-red.
Work environment needs may include:
chairs
stools
posing equipment and tables
dust free environment
electricity
lighting:
natural/available
studio
portable equipment and materials:
ground sheets
backgrounds
portable generator
ventilation and air conditioning
work tables
storage areas and facilities.
Camera systems and accessories may include:
120 camera
4 x 5 camera
35mm SLR camera
cable release
digital cameras and backs
exposure meters
film and media
filters
range of lenses
tripods
batteries
camera stands.
Safety considerations include:
complying with federal, state and territory legislation, regulations and standards
checking that electrical equipment is correctly tagged and tested
ensuring that the work space is free of trip hazards.
Materials may include:
gaffer tape
ground sheets
power cables
multi-outlet power boards for electrical equipment
props
transport cases
equipment bags.
Techniques may include:
field of view
framing
dynamic range
composition
background effects
colour balancing and the use of colour temperature meters and filters
combined lighting and the illusion of movement
feathering the light
lighting for silverware
lighting for textured surfaces
lighting glassware and gloss ware
lighting techniques for translucent surfaces
painting with light
shadowless lighting
synchro sun and fill flash
white balance and custom colour optimisation for electronic sensors
techniques for special situations:
scientific
technical
forensic.
Ways to adjust camera settings for lighting may involve:
aperture
exposure
lens focal length
lens hoods
shutter speed.
Subjects may include people or objects photographed for purposes, such as:
photo-documentary:
the built environment
the natural environment
portraiture:
formal
candid
scientific
medical
technical
still life.
Relevant personnel may include:
supervisor
manager
client
art director
designer:
set designer
costume designer
production designer
director
production manager
make-up and hair personnel
model.
Lighting equipment and accessories may include:
fibre optics
floor pack electronic flash systems
French flags and gobos
light-modifying devices:
scrims
umbrellas
honeycombs and grids
soft boxes
reflectors
light absorbers
portable (monobloc type) systems
portable electronic flash
portable photoflood and tungsten light systems
exposure:
grey card readings
incident/reflective readings
lighting ratio and brightness range readings
off the film (OTF) and through the lens (TTL) plane metering
spot meter readings
light-sensitive materials:
different types of film and electronic sensors
response of light-sensitive material to different colours of light source
light sources:
candle flame and other ambient low light sources
fluorescent lighting
incandescent, tungsten and photoflood
metallogenic and discharge lamps
ultraviolet and infra-red.
Work environment needs may include:
chairs
stools
posing equipment and tables
dust free environment
electricity
lighting:
natural/available
studio
portable equipment and materials:
ground sheets
backgrounds
portable generator
ventilation and air conditioning
work tables
storage areas and facilities.
Camera systems and accessories may include:
120 camera
4 x 5 camera
35mm SLR camera
cable release
digital cameras and backs
exposure meters
film and media
filters
range of lenses
tripods
batteries
camera stands.
Safety considerations include:
complying with federal, state and territory legislation, regulations and standards
checking that electrical equipment is correctly tagged and tested
ensuring that the work space is free of trip hazards.
Materials may include:
gaffer tape
ground sheets
power cables
multi-outlet power boards for electrical equipment
props
transport cases
equipment bags.
Techniques may include:
field of view
framing
dynamic range
composition
background effects
colour balancing and the use of colour temperature meters and filters
combined lighting and the illusion of movement
feathering the light
lighting for silverware
lighting for textured surfaces
lighting glassware and gloss ware
lighting techniques for translucent surfaces
painting with light
shadowless lighting
synchro sun and fill flash
white balance and custom colour optimisation for electronic sensors
techniques for special situations:
scientific
technical
forensic.
Ways to adjust camera settings for lighting may involve:
aperture
exposure
lens focal length
lens hoods
shutter speed.
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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select appropriate camera and lighting equipment and accessories for range of different subjects in different physical environments
apply appropriate lighting techniques to a range of different subjects in different physical environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
materials, resources and equipment needed to select, set up, adjust and apply camera and lighting systems.
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 observation of the candidate setting up lighting equipment for a photo shoot and applying lighting techniques
evaluation of lighting in images where the candidate was responsible for lighting
review of case studies to assess knowledge of how to apply lighting techniques in a range of situations
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVPHI401A Capture images in response to a brief.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select appropriate camera and lighting equipment and accessories for range of different subjects in different physical environments
apply appropriate lighting techniques to a range of different subjects in different physical environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
materials, resources and equipment needed to select, set up, adjust and apply camera and lighting systems.
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 observation of the candidate setting up lighting equipment for a photo shoot and applying lighting techniques
evaluation of lighting in images where the candidate was responsible for lighting
review of case studies to assess knowledge of how to apply lighting techniques in a range of situations
written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CUVPHI401A Capture images in response to a brief.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1724 | CUVPHI04B | Apply photoimaging lighting techniques | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWH71 | CUAPHI402 | Apply photo imaging lighting techniques | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D654 | CUV40211 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts | Qualification |
| D668 | CUV40311 | Certificate IV in Design | Qualification |
| D645 | MEM50311 | Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design | Qualification |
| D646 | MEM60211 | Advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design | Qualification |
| D669 | CUV40611 | Certificate IV in Opal Cutting and Polishing | Qualification |
| D648 | CUV40411 | Certificate IV in Photo Imaging | Qualification |
| D658 | CUV40111 | Certificate IV in Visual Arts | Qualification |