This week, we explored available light by getting into small groups and taking portraiture photos outside. I was with Sarah and she took photos of me but I still helped to decide shots and helped with the lighting. As this week was about lighting we needed to pay extra close attention to how we controlled the light, how the subject was lit and whether they were squinting. Among the usual equipment that we had been using up until now, we also used a light meter and a grey card to adjust the exposure and white balance. We also had a light reflector which I held out of shot in some of the photos. Before we went out, our tutor showed us photos of three different types of shots: A long shot, a ¾ or torso shot and a close up. This helped us to contextualise what we were doing and gave us inspiration for our own work.
During the workshop, I felt like I gained more confidence with the equipment and we changed up our background several times to try out different areas of natural light. At the end of the workshop we looked back through our photos as a group and we analysed each others’ work. This was beneficial because we were able to see how we could improve. Below are my favourite shots from the shoot.
I like these ones because of their focus and shallow depth of field (particularly in the first and second ones. The last one could have been improved by the hair not being over my face and possibly a higher ISO to brighten as we were shooting in the shade. In the first photo, we decided that I would look out of shot. This should make the viewer feel intrigued as to what I’m looking at. I think the lighting in this one is nice as the subject’s face is defined with shadows and isn’t completely washed with light, nor is it too dark and creating harsh shadows.
Overall, I believe it was a successful workshop as I learned to pay more attention to lighting in photos. We ran out of time before I could take any photos myself but if we were to do this again, we would alternate roles rather than one person taking their photos and then the other.