Exercise: The lighting angle.

With the camera fixed on the tripod, we are to start with the light fitted with the diffuse at the same level as the camera and subject. Between each shot, move the light around the subject so that its is lit from various directions. State which you prefer and why.

1. From the front with the light next to the camera.

Not a particularly attractive photo, the light is too harsh being shone directly onto the subject.

2. From the side.

This makes the left side over exposed and the right under. If there had been more space to the left to move the light further away then I think the effect would of been much better.

3. From behind to one side.

This image almost looks as though the sun is shining from behind and illuminating the fruit.

4. Directly behind.

This positioning causes the viewer to mainly focus on shape.

5. Light pointing downward at 45 degrees, to one side.

This angle picks out different details on the fruit that  had not noticed with the previous light positions.

6.Light pointing downward at 45 degrees, pointing to the other side.

Similar to the above image.

7. Light pointing downward at 45 degrees, from behind.

Again focusing on shape as well as highlighting the edges.

8. Light pointing downward at 45 degrees, from in front.

You can actually see where the light was positioned as it has left a reflection on the fruit.

9. Directly overhead.

Still causing a bit too much reflection off the fruit.

10. Slightly in front.

Causes all of the fruit to be well lit.

11. Slightly behind.

Well lit but minimises the harshness of the lighting and reflecting from the light off the fruit.

 

Conclusion.

It has become quite apparent whilst working on this project how much altering the direction of lighting can really effect the image as a whole. Just by moving the light around slightly different areas of the subject can be highlighted.

I think that my favourite images are:

4. as it really focuses on the shape of the subject as a whole.

9. directly over head illuminates the whole subject.

11. as shooting for slightly behind highlights the edges well.

I am inclined to say that number 5 probably gives the best 3D effect in my opinion and reveal the form of the fruit still life better than the other images