Week1 ASSESSMENT: Lightning

f/8 1/125 ISO 100 Monolight Flash Studio

SOFT LIGHT

In this photograph, I used a softbox over my Godox flash, creating a soft shadow on my object. The source of the light was big, and the bigger the light source, the softer the light. My shadow has a range of different dark tones and the transition from the bright to dark goes gradually.

f/7.1 1/125 ISO 100 Monolight Flash Studio 

HARD LIGHT

In the photo above, I got rid of the softbox. My light wasn't wrapping my object anymore but illuminating directly and intensely this one, creating a big and exaggerated shadow, giving my image an edgy dramatic feel. The transition from the bright to dark went more abrupt this time.

f/7.1 1/125 ISO 100 Monolight Flash Studio 

HARD LIGHT w/ Reflector

On this last photo of the racing car, I used a triangular 42" reflector to reflect the light on the other side of my object, opposite my main light. I had an extra light that I could control and direct toward my object, hitting some parts that are usually hidden or don't get any source of light. Basically, I added light into their shadows. 

PLAIN LIGHT

f/22.0 1/125 ISO 100

I placed the artwork on a piece of white foam and positioned my camera facing the ground directly above my work area. Once the artwork was properly framed in my camera's frame, I set up my lights: I left the studio ambient light on and placed my two Godox mono lights (both with softboxes) at equal distance from the artwork, in order to create an even light on both sides, trying to reduce any shadows around my subject. I used a light meter to calculate the aperture of my camera and the result was quite good. The post-production helped me to reduce the left shadows.

(Behind the scenes)

Setup of lights and camera during the job