Exercise: The Lighting Angle

For this exercise, i had to tie several photographs of an object that woad rounded with relief. I chose a glass head. I then had to take pictures using a light fitted with a diffuser. With the light in a different position in each photograph.

Due to using a diffuser, the lighting was soft, and so no harsh strong shadows were created.

Light in front
In this photograph, there are no real shadows, and the light is evenly distributed over the face.

Light right front diagonal
In this photograph the light was in front of the object, but towards the right facing the object diagonally. The start of a very subtle shadow can be seen at the back left. There are visible areas on the right side of the face; the neck, under and above the eye where the light hits.

Light behind
This was a bit tricky, trying to ensure the diffuser was not seen behind the object. You can see it very slightly. Perhaps an awkward object to photograph from behind, being see through, giving a different effect from what would usually be seen. the outline of the object is dark whilst the middle/inside is lit up. The is a slight shadow in front of the object.

Light back right diagonal 
There is a point of the top right of the object where the light hits. A shadow can be seen to the left of the front.

Light left
A shadow can be seen to the left of the object

Light front left diagonal
Slight shadow to the back right

light right
A shadow can be seen to the left of the object. The shadow on the cheekbone, jaw on the left side of the face i predominantly darker than the right side.
The light can be seen across the front of the face here.

Light back left diagonally
Very subtle shadows can be seen around the front of the object.

Light above
A slight green glow can be seen around the bottom of this object.

The photograph with the lighting in front is probably my favourite as the light is evenly distributed across the front of the object making it look more matte and defined.
There is no great difference between each shot apart from the shadows, as the diffuser softens the light and the shadows. I personally prefer working without a diffuser, as i prefer the harsh lighting and big bold shadows a naked light will create.
Some may argue the subject used wasn't the best for this task. However I would disagree. you can see where the light first hits, and the shadows cast. I took another photograph for each shot without a diffuser to see if there was any great difference in shadows/light within the face between each shot, and these can be seen a lot better under the strong naked light which is again softened by the diffuser. I've used solid objects in the past with a diffuser and have arrived at the same outcome.