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Artificial light on the face

Artificial light on the face

Artificial light that is shone on the face tends to create a more sinister and creepy feeling compared to natural light, this is because it is harsher and depending on where you position the light, it can have very different effects. The shadows caused by blocking artificial light tend to be a lot deeper and outline the face a lot more, where as natural light is softer and blends better with shadows and darker tones.

Natural light on the face

Natural light on the face

Blends a lot nicer and captures features a lot softer than they are normally. You can also admire the difference between warmer toned lights that create a more lively feeling and the more bold, colder tones of a black and white photo using artificial lighting. Direct and intense light can be quite harsh where as spread out, natural light is soft and blended well.

The direction of light is also very important in the intensity of light, natural and artificial. 
Light from above can have a negative impact on a persons face as it makes the features a lot darker and creates shadows below the eyes making the atmosphere a lot creepier, where as lighting up the whole face or the side of the face without intensifying the shadows can be a lot more comforting and warmer. The comparison above shows the difference between the two and also proves that natural light tends to blend better and is less obvious. The harsher light on the left also makes the models eye sockets look deeper and makes it less peaceful and more restless or evil looking.

Strong Contrast attempt 1

Strong Contrast attempt 1

In the style of Caravaggio and other chiaroscuro artists I wanted to explore techniques that could create a harsher contrast between dark and light. This was an experiment with window light that effectively created a thick black silhouette whilst illuminating my models face. This links in with KT Parker's work as she often experimented with using nothing but natural window light to create very bold contrasts.

Strong Contrast attempt 3

Strong Contrast attempt 3

As long as there is light, we will feel safe and comfortable. The contrast of this photograph makes it a lot darker and scarier than I intended. However it allows me to express that light can change the atmosphere of photographs depending on what type of light you use and how, and since this is natural light creating a dark contrast it tends to be a lot less comforting than what I originally aimed for.

Strong Contrast attempt 4

Strong Contrast attempt 4

The soft light in the background that shines in through the window makes the photograph peaceful and safer. It enhances the shapes of the models and enhances the lines that separate the dark and light making the photo bolder yet still comforting because of the emphasis of light shining on things we would associate with home and safety. (Family and furniture in this case)

Strong Contrast attempt 5

Strong Contrast attempt 5

Strong Contrast attempt 6

Strong Contrast attempt 6

Strong Contrast attempt 7

Strong Contrast attempt 7

Strong Contrast attempt 9

Strong Contrast attempt 9

Just like the previous photographs, natural light tends to illuminate the face and outline the different shapes we see around us in a way that is more peaceful and real compared to artificial light which tends to be too harsh and makes the simplistic and comforting side of natural photographs disappear.

Strong Contrast attempt 10

Strong Contrast attempt 10

This was my first attempt at getting a similar kind of photo with artificial lighting. As you can see the face is not as illuminated and is a lot darker. This is because natural light tends to be a lot larger and spread out where as it is harder to control artificial light at such a small amount. I am going to attempt some shoots in the style of KT Parker to explore the use of artificial light and how it impacts the atmosphere of a photo depending on its position and strength.

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