PHOTO GROUP Assignment 1: Light

Ok, so now this unused for a year blog is going to be the host site for our little photo group. Here I will post the assignments, and all are welcome to post their own pictures (give me your emails and I'll be able to invite you to contribute). We'll look at pictures during our group, but it's nice to look at them ahead of time and get critiques here, because we don't always have time to look at everything.

SO. Here's our assignment #1 (yes, it was stolen from my photography group of old.)

LIGHT:

Our first assignment was to TURN OFF YOUR FLASH! We're trying to shoot in manual at least a little bit every day to get used to it, but you are welcome to use Av mode while you're trying to just get some good pictures. We're working on finding light in your own houses. So look for the good windows, bad windows, and make it work. Then move outside and see what works best around your house. Here are the specific pictures you should take:


First, get a subject and photograph it using at least 3 different windows in your home.

Window #1
Soft window light/Close to window/ Light and Shadow on face.

Look for a window that creates a soft glow. No harsh light coming in the room, or sun shinning brightly on the floor. Position your subject near this window, so there is a light side of the face and a dark side. It doesn’t have to be half and half (split lighting), but experiment with how much light and shadow is on the face.

Window #2
Small window/ small amount of light/ Can you make it work?

Now look for a window that is very small (maybe the bathroom)....that lets in a little bit of light. Try to place your subject in the most pleasing spot for this small window. Don’t worry about the background...we are looking at the light. Change where you are standing, change the direction your subject is looking....See if you can MAKE it work.

Window #3
Big window/create flat lighting (no shadows on your subject)

For the last window sit on the ground under a window (or sliding door) with your back to the wall/door. Have your subject directly in front of you. Try not to block the light landing on your subject, you may have to move or duck a bit.


Outside
Move outside/ get your subject in the shade/ Look for catchlights in the eyes.
Now get outside. Look for open shade. Examples: A covered porch, in shade of a house, inside a garage, under a shady tree (without dappled light), or a totally cloudy day.

How to find the best spot? Walk around your subject and look into their eyes. Are the catchligths there? (Tiny highlights (bright spots) in a subject's eyes, caused by reflections of the light source.) Would those catchlights be better if they turn around? Do they have harsh shadows on their face. Have them look up a bit or tilt their head, WATCH the shadows as they do this. Don’t let the background determine where you take the photograph...only worry about the light.

Select your FIVE best images to post to the blog or bring next month. Feel free to bring your photos that didn’t turn out so we can discuss them.

A few tips.

Shoot in AV mode, (if you don't already shoot in manual) and select a few different f-stops. EXPERIMENT.
Fill your frame with your subject.
Take a picture of the entire scene...window,where the subject was standing, etc. It will help us all know your set up.