PROJ #7: DIRECT SIDE LIGHT

DIRECTIONS: Make 12+ images that have direct side light illuminating your subject. Move the light slightly (or reposition your subject) between photos so that you have a variety  of shadow in the final group of photos. Have your person vary her/his expression.

Student photograph

Using a human as your subject matter, position a strong direct light to the side of your subject. The light should produce a strong shadow on half or part of the face. There may be a cast shadow away from your subject. 

1. Do not use flash.

2. Set the camera to the aperture priority setting ("A").  Set your aperture WIDE open if you want a small sliver of focus (w/background out of focus). Close the aperture smaller if you want everything to be in focus.

3. Set your ISO to as low as you can set it WHILE STILL keeping a shutter speed that is 1/60th or faster, otherwise you will capture your own body-shake.

4. Focus on the part of the face you want in focus, and make your photographs.

5. Move the light source (or repositioning the subject) between photos so that each photograph has a unique shadow/highlight from the previous photographs.

DIRECT SIDE LIGHT has:

1.  Obvious and distinctly dark shadow.

2. Obvious direction from where the light is emanating (you can tell that the light is coming from only one distinct source).

Front light vs. Side light. CLICK HERE.