Shots taken with lighting at the level of the subject:
Position 1: rear-side
Starting with the shots taken at mid height, the first
position was with the light slightly behind and to the side. I found that
lighting the subject in this way gave a high contrast image creating a burnt
out area to the left and very dark areas to the right. It was difficult to get
a correct exposure all round with this position. Part of the problem was due to space constraints at this angle; had I been able to move the light back slightly, the burnt out area may have been avoided.
Position 2: side
The two images below show lighting from the side of the
subject. These again have resulted in high contrast images with burnt out
areas. The texture of the subject is also more prominent in these images and I
like the way the second image, lit from the right highlights the elephant’s
facial features and makes it appear more three dimensional.
Position 3: front-side
The two images lit from a front-side position are much more
evenly lit. Highlights and shadows are visible on all areas of the subject and
the textures are much more noticeable. The red tones, otherwise lost to high
contrast are now more visible in areas facing the lighting.
Position 4: front
In this image much more of the subject is lit and much more
evenly. This creates a flatter image, although interest is regained by the fact
that the colours now appear much stronger. The texture on the underside of the
image is noticeable for the first time.
Position 5: rear
In the final position at this level, all detail is lost as
the subject is silhouetted as a result of light coming from behind. This
position really shows nothing but shape; for this reason, I have turned the
elephant round to show the strongest possible shape to create an interesting
image.
Shots taken with lighting higher than the subject:
Position 1: rear-side
This image is lit much more evenly than the lower set image
taken from the same direction. The highlights, especially to the head highlight
the three dimensional quality.
Position 2: side
The form is accentuated even more in the images lit from the
side; the head looks more bulbous when lit from the right than in any other
position. This image reflects the contrast of the lower side lit shots but in a
much more subtle way which is more pleasing to the eye.
Position 3: front side
This angle creates a more flat image than those shot with
side lighting with subtle highlights and shadows remaining. Colour is much more
pronounced in the areas close to highlights and detail such as the dirt on the
elephant’s feet is more noticeable in this image.
Position 4: front
This lighting position not only has the effect of lighting
the elephant but also provides lighting to the background, making the subject’s
shape more defined. The lighting is quite even across the body, creating a
flatter image, however there are clear shadows and highlights on the elephant’s
face. This lighting has the effect of boosting colours, especially the red
shades on the ear and back.
Position 5: rear
The rear lighting from above creates a similar silhouette to
that of the lower back lighting, however in this image, highlights are shown
across the top of the animal. Although the shape is the most notable feature
created by this form of lighting, the subtle lighting shows form where the
basic low lit silhouette does not.
Although this project was completed using only one light, it
has shown many different affects that can be created with photographic lighting.
This lighting can be used not only to create highlights but to strengthen
colour and texture as well as enhancing three
dimensional qualities.
No comments:
Post a Comment