I purchased a Speedlite 430EX II a while ago when realizing the need to expand my range of shooting, and noting that this series of exercises was coming up. This exercise therefore provided the ideal opportunity to (more or less literally) unwrap the product and get shooting. The preamble to the exercise implies one uses a "....worked out manageable system for diffusing a single light...." but given the limited nature of the diffusing in the previous exercise, it seemed an excellent opportunity to expand my lighting experience.
Having viewed some other blogs, I thought using an object rather than someone's face would work better. A seated leprechaun model seemed an ideal subject, providing a variety of planes. The subject was placed on some white paper and the camera set up on a tripod. The Speedlite was attached using a cable and a diffuser box fitted to the front of the flash.
The first few shots were grossly overexposed even after adjusting the flash compensation, requiring some time looking through the flash instruction manual and a consequent conversion to manual settings. Once the optimum setting (1/16 power) was established by trial and error, all the shots were taken using the same settings: 1/90, f9.5 ISO 200 using my Canon 400d and 24-105m lens set to 67mm.
The first group of shots are taken with the light source at the same level and camera, the flash unit successively in front, from the side, from the side and behind, and from directly behind:
 |
| Light at same level at front |
This is the "traditional angle", all of the leprechaun is lit and the shot does justice to the colours; the diffuser avoids sharp shadow. It is however rather flat and dull by virtue of there being no shadow.
 |
| Light at same level at side |
This was taken at side but slightly in front of square. More depth and contrast in the subject, and little detail lost. The lighting seems to suit the subject as the smiling face is accentuated. Just enough shadow to provide a sound 3 dimensional effect.
 |
| Light at same level at side and behind |
This gives a very pleasing edge lighting effect and there is still enough lit detail to avoid a flat silhouette appearance - the left foot and the nose become noticeable features. The 3 dimensional effect is evident.
 |
| Light at same level from behind |
In order to avoid the flash unit being visible in this image, it was placed slightly off the 180 degrees plane from the camera. In practice, this made little difference as the aim was to obtain a silhouette effect and this was achieved, with only minimal colour from the straw parts of the model showing. The absence of colour and form helps accentuate the shape in this image.
The next part of the exercise is to repeat the four positions with the flash unit held at 45 degrees above the subject.
 |
| Light raised 45 degrees at front |
This is similar to the first image but does gain some depth and contrast from the shadow of the hat and the feet. The shadow behind is a distraction.
 |
| Light raised 45 degrees at side |
This is a better image - more contrast and depth. Interesting that the expression changes slightly as a result of the light change. Very good detail on the trousers. Form is accentuated.
 |
| Light raised 45 degrees at side and behind |
There is too much shadow on the face in this image although nice detail on the trousers again.
 |
| Light raised 45 degrees from behind |
Some bounce back flash means we get some light on the front - the shape is enhanced by the silhouette effect.
Lastly, there is a group of three images with the light above: directly; slightly in front; and slightly behind:
 |
| Light directly above |
Difficult to see what advantage this aspect gives - it is almost the worst of all worlds as the face is lost in shadow but the trousers look flat.
 |
| Light directly above slightly in front |
No significant difference from previous.
 |
| Light directly above slightly behind |
This works better - the effect of the light on the right foot helps balance the image well and the shadow thrown by the straw is effective.
I think the best 3 dimensional effect is provided by the side lighting - not much difference in this respect between the light at object level and the light raised at 45 degrees. I prefer the lower light as more detail and colour are retained so overall the second image is preferred over the others: it retains the colour and brightness of the face yet achieves some form by virtue of the shadows.
This exercise enhance my understanding of the use of artificial light considerably, an area of photography of which I had little previous experience.
In practical terms I can now use the Speedlite with a semblance of proficiency.
In photographic terms, the exercise makes one realize how different elements of the subject are accentuated by the varying positions of light source. In simplistic terms:
- front lighting is good for colour and shape but tends to give flat images devoid of form;
- the shadows caused by side lighting provide form;
- rear lighting accentuates shape but little else;
- rear lighting to the side gives a pleasing edge lighting effect
