Photographic Lighting - Softening the Light (4.5a)

Requirement

2 images

Purpose

• To compare diffused with naked flash light
• To develop still life photography skills

Technical learning

Still life - key pointers

• Use a simple backdrop (to avoid distraction from subject)
• Make light contrasty: vary the strength of light from different sources (e.g. main light = strongest, 2nd light = fill in shadows)
• Pay attention to light angles: (a) light(s) to subject, (b) subject to camera. Varying light angle and viewpoint is key to discovering best presentation of perspective
• Light for texture and depth: side light works best
• Light for shape: side light also works best, also add highlights across the edge of subject

Role of photo lighting

• Treat photographic lighting as a supplement with unique possibilities
• Some advantages of photographic lighting (vs. natural light) are:  (a) useful for shooting small subjects that the photographer can control and (b) more effective for photographing indoors

Lighting options

• Options include: camera in-built flash, separate flash unit (battery or mains) and tungsten (mains powered) unit
• Some advantages of tungsten (vs. mains flash) are: (a) it is cheaper, (b) you can preview the lighting effect, (c) it does not need synchronisation with the shutter and (d) it does not require a separate light meter
• Some advantages of mains flash (vs. tungsten) are: it (a) can drown ambient light and
•  (b) produces less heat so enabling the use of important light modelling attachments (e.g. soft box diffusers, umbrellas etc)

Managing light intensity

• The intensity of light falling on the subject varies by distance by the Inverse Square Law, doubling the distance, reduces the light intensity four fold

Using diffusers

• Naked lights produce bright highlights and hard shadows as well as distribute light indiscriminately around the scene. This effect can be softened by diffusers 
• Diffusion models more softly, reduces shadow and reveals more detail

Exercise instructions

Create a DIY diffuser

• Create a frame of cardboard or wood
• Tape white greaseproof paper over window (other options: specialist 'scrim' or 'spun', milky plexiglas)
• Attach frame to stand and place between flash and subject 

Set up a still life

• Experiment with the placement of the flash unit before deciding where to position it
• Take 1 shot with naked flash, another with diffused light
• Compare the results in the treatment of highlights and shadows

Images and review
I made 2 identical diffusers from greaseproof paper taped to a cardboard frame, so that I could assess the impact of doubling up on diffusing the flash light.

Tennis Ball

Naked Flash
Hard shadow on the grey card and
high contrast between lit side and shadow
side of the ball

1 x diffuser
Softer transition to shadow across the face of
the ball and weaker shadow on the grey card 

2 x diffuser
Even softer effect than in the previous image