Different Light Sources (systems and processes)

We were given a group assignment by Andrew to go out and photograph each other under different lighting conditions-as many as we could find, in fact!

We started out in the studio, using window light, tungsten light and corrected fluroescent light, both individually and combined.


Serena lit by the daylight tube at the left, and the tungsten modelling light plus window light at the right-this creates an uneven effect to the quality of light as the colours of the light are different, creating a yellow cast which is very unflattering, and because the rest of the photo is daylight balanced, it would be quite difficult to adjust this in photoshop as increasing the coolness to get rid of the yellow would make the rest of the photo too cool.


Serena lit by the daylight tube to the left only. Much more pleasing effect although because the light is directional to the left, it also creates a lot of shadows. its quite cool in colour though but this could be easily changed in lightroom.


Serena lit by the tungsten modelling lamp to the left, again, quite a pleasing light but rather yellow in tone which could be amended in lightroom.


serena lit by the window light to the right. my favourite of these, even though the shadows are prominent, i much prefer the quality of light and the dramatic look to the portrait. it just proves my own personal theory that, no matter what, there is no substitute for natural light in photography!

The brief for the 'Systems and Processes' unit asks for us to find objects lit by certain types of light, as detailed below:

Fluorescent
Usually found as long tubes lighting commercial properties or kitchens, this photograph is of a locust lit by a fluorescent bulb in the tank where he is kept. Fluorescent light is a temperature of 4000K



Incandescent
A stereotypical household lightbulb is usually incandescent. This photo shows my son lit (and slightly overexposed) by a household lightbulb from above. The light temperature is 2700K


Sodium
Sodium bulbs are used in street lights and they give off an intense yellow/orange hue. The colour temperature of these bulbs is 2200K


Tungsten
Tungsten bulbs are usually used as worklights for building and workmen, although the
modelling lamp in my strobe light is also tungsten. This shot was lit by the modelling lamp from the right and a little additional light from a candle on the left. The colour temperature of tungsten is 3000K.