Introduction:
For this exercise we have been asked to produce 2 images using a still life set-up. The first image should be taken with a lamp but no diffuser attached. The second should have some form of diffusion in front of the light source, either hand held or an attachment. We are to describe the differences in hardness of the shadow areas and differences in contrast with and without the diffusion source in place
(click on any image to enlarge)
Process:
A still life was set up against some foam padding inside a Pelican case. It was interesting to see how the lighting on the dark foam changed in the two images. After the first shot without a diffuser I placed a soft box over the light source to obtain the second image. Both images taken at 1/125th sec F4 ISO 100 on Canon 5D MK 3.
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No diffuser 1/125th sec F4 ISO 100
Taken with nothing in front of the light source, it’s obvious this image is overexposed and the shadows are very harsh. The white areas of the place mats are very bright to a point of being burnt out. The shadows on the side of the box on the right side are very strong with defined harsh edges. The black foam of the Pelican case is also too bright.
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With diffuser 1/125th sec F4 ISO 100
This shot taken with a soft box fitted has now brought all areas of the image into a better prospective, and when looking at the histogram the lines were a lot more spread across the graph, even though slightly to the left due to a high area of black in the image. The shadows on the box on the right hand side are now softer and blend into the overall image a lot better. More interestingly the white inlays of the place mats are now evenly exposed and not burnt out. The foam is now a darker shade relating more closely to how it looked to the eye at the time of shooting. I think to make this image a little better a reflector could be brought in on the left of camera to soften the shadows even more. An exercise Im sure for the future.
Conclusion:
Harsh artificial lighting is often needed maybe in bright sunlight outdoors, to overcome bright sunlight. However for something such as a still life subject where light is needed to maybe surround the subject, a diffuser would be the best choice in order to bring out the shape and contours of a subject without adding strong overpowering shadows. Adding a diffuser also allows for a different F-stop as it brings the overall available lighting lower, allowing a shallower DOF and longer exposure time.
O.C.A. BA (hons) Photography Degree Course 