Light - final version of assignment #4

Decisions
The main decision was to:

• stick with the Turkana Man subject (see original assignment for its personal significance)
• use the formula of producing 2 versions of each of the 4 stipulated goals of the exercise, i.e. show shape, form, texture and colour 
• re-shoot all the images except for Shape 2 and Texture 2, since the key weakness of the original assignment was untidy backgrounds

Click here for: Original version of Assignment #4

Images


Shape

Shape 1

• Composition - side profile provides the most interesting shape, showing some of the facial features increases interest, white card provides strong separation
• Lighting - flash #1 at approximately 160 degrees with reflector to reveal gently the detail of the eyes etc, flash #2 was behind statue and directed at background to create silhouette

Shape 2

• Composition - lens flare hints at the dazzling light of midday in Kenya, rim light provides depth by showing brow, temples and top of shoulders, again the use of a white background maximises contrast
• Lighting - single flash overhead and behind subject

Form

Form 1

• Composition - 3/4 view of subject gives a good profile to model the dimensions of the statue, the black background makes for a quieter image than the previous two Shape portraits
• Lighting - Flash #1 (key light) at 45 degrees to left, Flash #2 at 45 degrees to right, reflector to right of camera at close range to increase detail shown of cheek

 

Form 2
 

• Composition - side view provides another good profile to reveal form, the striped background adds to African feel of the image (Thanks for the idea, Robert!)
• Lighting - Flash #1 (key light) at 45 degrees to left, Flash #2 at 45 degrees to right, reflector to left of camera at close range to increase detail shown of cheek

Texture

 

Texture 1

• Composition - side view again because to show the range of contour of the bust, better than a frontal view
• Lighting - flash at 90 degrees to the subject so that the light falls across the textured surface of the bust to reveal its contours and blemishes

 

 

Texture 2

• Composition - complements the previous image by showing the rear view which did not feature prominently
• Lighting - Side lit again with a white card reflector on the right hand side to reveal some of the detail of that side of the bust. Black card background changes the mood, making it more sober and formal than the previous shot.

Colour

Colour 1

• Composition - close-up adds variety of information and perspective to the series as a whole as well as increasing the focus on the colour of the clay 
• Lighting - 2 flashes equidistant from the subject, one at 45 degrees and the other at 315 degrees. The second flash was set at EV -1 stop compared to the first

Colour 2

• Composition - again the close-up adds variety and focus on the colour of the clay. In addition, the narrow depth of field also emphasises the colour of the bust as does using the contrast of a green background (recedes and complements as another earth colour)
• Lighting - 1 flash facing the subject bounced off a white ceiling