Light level with the subject
The following photos are of a sculpture taken with the camera facing the object. By moving the light around for the first 4 but keeping it level with the subject, I was able to study the position and type of shadows. My light source was diffused for all 11 photos.a. Light next to camera b. Light from one side
F22 8secs ISO100 47mm F22 6secs ISO100 47mm
c. Light from behind d. Light from behind and to one side
F22 1/4sec ISO100 47mm F22 8secs ISO100 45mm
All Exposure compensation –1 Tungsten white balance
a. Gives a flat, overexposed image. Detail in the dress is not shown but colours stand out.
b. More interest as face is in shadow. Some dress detail shown. Shadows are hard.
c. Shape is well defined. Looks very 2D.
d. Even soft shadow. Dress detail is shown. I prefer this one out of the group of 4 because the shadows are soft, there are a few highlights and the photo is balanced.
Light at 45 degrees to the subject
In this exercise, the light is pointing at 45 degrees to the subject and the lighting sequence is repeated.
a. Light next to camera b. Light from one side
F22 8secs ISO100 47mm F22 6secs ISO100 47mm
c. Light from behind d. Light from behind and to one side
F22 10secs ISO100 47mm F22 8secs ISO100 45mm
All –1 exposure compensation tungsten white balance
a. Gives a flat, bright image. Not much detail is shown.Evenly lit. Hard shadows under chin and on side of dress.
b. Shadows makes the sculpture have more shape. Shadows are hard. Details such as hair and ribbon are highlighted. I like this effect and that of d because the sculpture looks more interesting with the use of shadows and highlights.
c. Highlights hair and shoulders. The difference between this and the last exercise is that the light source is hidden behind the background. There is colour rather than the subject being a silhouette. Shadows are soft.
d. Detail is shown by edge lighting the subject. Soft shadows are produced and some highlights such as hair.
Overhead lighting
In this exercise, the camera is level with the subject and the light source is suspended above the subject.
a. Overhead
F22 3secs ISO100 47mm
b. Overhead from the front c. Overhead from behind
F22 2secs ISO100 47mm F22 8secs ISO100 47mm
All –1 exposure compensation tungsten white balance
a. Shadows are hard. Top half of the subject has no shadows.
b. Minimal hard shadows around nest. Detail on dress is clear. Looks 3D. I prefer this one out of the three because there is shadow definition and the subject is in the light.
c. Highlights shown on hair. Shadows soft. Detail visible even in shadow.
Comparing all 3 sets of photos, I have observed that by front or back lighting there is no depth to the photo. Side lighting and top lighting give the same proportion of highlights and shadow which allow the object to be seen in 3D.
My preference overall is the overhead and slightly in front because of the relevance of the lighting to the subject – the angel looking up towards the light.
