Contrast and Shadow Fill

This first image is taken without a diffuser. The camera and flash were set up in accordance with the instructions outlined in the exercise material. The flash is to the right of the photograph as is evident from the highlights on the right of the objects in the still life. There is also a strong shadow thrown on to the goblet by the candlestick to it's right.

The second image is with a diffuser attached all else remaining the same. The light is much softer and there is less 'burn out' of the colours. The shadow remains on the goblet but there are now no hard edges.

Here a white card has been placed opposite the flash source approximately 3 feet from the subject. There appears to be very little difference between this shot and the preceding one.

The card has now been moved so that it is approximately 18 inches from the subject. There is a noticeable increase in the light falling on the left of the objects particularly when compared with the diffused only shot.

Foil with dull side facing out has now been added to the card and the card placed 3 feet from the subject. There is an increase in the amount of light falling on the left hand side of the objects in the image and is perhaps most noticeable on the goblet although there is slightly more detail visible in the other objects - see particularly the balls in the Galileo thermometer.

In this shot the foil has been crumpled and the card placed 3 feet from the subject. There is very little difference between this image and the preceding one

The card with the dull foil has now been moved to 18 inches from the subject. Comparing this image with the immediately preceding one there is an increase in the amount of detail that can be seen in the left of the 'wreath' at the base of the candles. There is again more light on the goblet that is beginning to give more shape.

The foil has been crumpled and the card placed 18 inches from the subject. There is no noticeable difference between this on and the preceding one.

The shiny side is now being used with the card 3 feet from the subject. The light reflected is now harsher as can be seen from the line of strong light on the left side of the goblet and the increased level of detail in all the objects.

Here the foil has been crumpled with shiny side facing and 3 feet from the subject. There is a definite softening of the light and some loss of detail when compared with the preceding image. 

Keeping the shiny side but moving the card to within 18 inches of the subject provides a well lit image with both sides almost equal in strength. The candlesticks now have shape as does the goblet.

Crumpling the foil but keeping the card 18 inches from the subject produces a softer image with just about sufficient detail visible. 

It can be deduced from the exercise as a whole that the brighter the surface of the reflector the greater amount of light thrown back onto the subject. What was surprising was how much difference there was between the amount of light from the same type of reflector but where the distance had ben changed. One presumes that this is caused by the amount of light that hits the reflector with more 'escaping' from the diffused source the further the reflector is away.

The exercise was the first time that I had used a flash in this way and only the second time I had used the flash off camera. It was an invaluable lesson in what could be achieved with very simple reflectors.