Requirement
6 images
Purpose
To experiment with contrast using flash as the light source (by diffusion, reflection and distance from the subject)
Technical learning
- Contrast is the difference between light and shadow
- 2 important roles for strong shadow: it adds to (a) the graphic design of an image and (b) the atmosphere and emotional appeal (see below)
- However, shadow sacrifices detail. Shadow in-fill can enhance detail but increasingly makes for a flatter image.
Strong shadows - graphic design
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| Stairs Aleksandr Rodchenko |
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| Girl with a Leica Aleksandr Rodchenko |
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| Light Contour Map Ralph Morse |
Strong shadows - emotional impact
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| Lionel Shriver Manuel Vazquez |
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| Big Cloud, Los Angeles Mitch Dobrowner |
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| Trees Clouds Mitch Dobrowner |
- Difficult to change outdoors in daylight (other than waiting for the light to change), it can be managed indoors with photographic lighting with/without reflectors
- 3 ways to change contrast: (a) alter distance between light source and subject (further away increases contrast), (b) set up a second light source and (c) use a reflector (reduce contrast), or not/ using black card/ velvet
- Reflectors fill in shadows when set up opposite to the light source: their strength depends on the shininess of their surface
- Shadow fill adds more detail but as its effect increases so does the flatness of the image
Exercise instructions
- Set up a still life
- Obtain a large white card (2 x 3 feet) and aluminium foil (as a reflector)
- Choose a background away from walls that allows access from the sides
- Place the camera on a tripod level with the subject
- Set up a flash unit 2/3 feet away from and at right angles to the subject
- 2 x flash unit: 1 with diffuser, 1 without
- 2 x reflector (white card): at 3 feet from subject, then 1.5 feet from subject
- 2x aluminium foil: 1 x dull surface outwards, 1 x shiny surface outwards
- Organise images in order of contrast, highest first
Images and review
The Petrol Can
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| Naked Flash Hard Shadows, particularly of cap on front of petrol can |
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| Flash diffused by Soft Box Soft edges and moderately more detail in the shadows |
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| ...White Card Reflector at 36 inches more detail emerges on side of can |
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| ...White Card Reflector at 18 inches even more detail than at 36 inches |
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| ...Aluminium Foil (dull side) at 18 inches slightly more detail than using a white card reflector at the same distance |
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| ...Aluminium Foil (shiny side) at 18 inches more detail again, although the position of the reflector is evident on the side of the can (unintended effect) |
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| ...Aluminium Foil (shiny side) at 36 inches, more detail than white card reflector at that distance |
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