P & P - Space and Function - Exercise 3 - How Space Changes with Light

This exercise asks for following:

1. Make 2 variations of the same photograph from a single position
2. Look at how different lighting conditions may suggest different view points and compositions

The key here is to identify how space changes with light


Image 1a

This is mid-morning sun, with the sun shining toward the camera. This scene shows how there are exposure challenges with bright light outside the house and the dark shaded area inside the house. For an evenly exposed image 2 images could have been taken exposing one for the brighter area and the second for the darker internal element and then combine them.

However in this image I have created a scene that shows a cool interior, the back door open letting in the warmth but the position of the chair and cup shows that someone is keeping out of the sun whilst they enjoy their mid morning drink. The shoes by the door explain that someone has been outside already.

The shadow made by the vase give a clear indication of the sun's position, the longer shadow suggesting its well before or after mid-day.



Image 1b

I've tried to recreate the same scene. In this second image early evening, the sun has moved round to the front of the house. This scene is much duller without the sun filtering through the French doors casting shadows and giving the scene a sense of warmth and the shadows create more interest and depth, especially with the shadows in diagonal across the scene.

The first image is clearly the best image and understanding how the light moves in relation to the scene suggests the photographer should plan to take the image at mid morning rather than early evening. He may have had to witness how the light fills the room first to determine this or have a compass and understand the house position in relation to the sun's movement



The next day I have had to wait until mid-day to get the light at the right strength but unfortunately it has moved around and so I miss some of the stronger shadows but there is enough for me to work with. I've changed the composition slightly and this time converted a few to mono so that colour is excluded to examine how this works with the light. I've moved in closer with a 50mm lens.

Image 2a

Image 2b

Image 2c

The sun perhaps is not strong enough and I could have waited more days but there is sufficient shadow and light and both are captured in the colour and mono version. In image 2c I've moved in a lot closer creating an abstract image. The wooden frame of the chair in almost silhouette as a result of matrix metering balancing the stronger outside light. There is sufficient light to cast shadows on the chair seat and the angle of the light shows its stippling effect at this angle and how the light blends from light to dark as it moves into shadow.


Exercise Learning

a) The 2 images 1 and 1a contrast nicely highlighting the effect of light and shadow can make or break an image, the first image more interesting because of effects of the light.

b) In mono it can be seen how light can bring added contrast to an image.

c) Understand how light can make or break an image is important, this will often require thought about the time of day the shot is taken. This can be the extremes at the start and end of a day, however one of these may be better than the other depending how you want the light to fall e.g. behind or on front of an object will result in shadows toward or away from it; should the subject be lit or in silhouette

d) Planning to understand c) above, research and study of a map, compass points and lens camera / siteing are all elements to be considered and planned ahead if a specific brief is to be met.