Assignment 1: Lighting Test

Inspirational Image

RAW Image

Retouched Image

Lighting Test Diagram

Lens Focal Length: 24 mm wide angle lens
Ambient light exposure: ISO 100 · f 14 · 1/200 sec
Strobe light exposure: ISO 100 · f 11 · 1/200 sec
Camera settings: ISO 100 · f 11 · 1/200 sec

The lighting test was done according with the preliminary lighting diagram & plan. The only thing that changed was: 1. The shot was done at 10h30am, and 2. we didn't use a gold-silver reflector but a white one. The result of the test is, generally speaking, satisfactory despite the fact that we hadn't a stronger or bigger building as a dark background (as it is in the inspirational image) which really helps the subject to pops-up on the scene (in the inspirational image). In the test image, as there is not a bigger building behind, and the fence is not wide enough, the sun flare is not as strong as in the inspirational image. However the final composition and the elements behind the subject on the test image (fence, post and bridge) are kind of nice.

The test lighting effect worked fine in a general point of view, but I realized when I was doing the retouch that the original light is a little bit harsher and creates a shiny effect on the subject's face.

So, maybe we can try for the final photoshooting to create a harsher-shiny effect on the subject's face using a "beauty dish" reflector instead of a white umbrella to lit the model. In the same way, could be a good idea to shoot a little bit earlier to have the sun over the bridge in order to play more with the composition and the background to pop-up the model a little bit more in the whole composition.