The image pictured in the frame is a family portrait and very much a historical record of when we as a family were much younger. Although I could quite easily use flash unit linked to my camera, I decided to use a flash head with a diffuser. I positioned the light above the subject to avoid any flash reflecting off the glass in the frame.
I do like the composition of this image. The first thing I see is that the flash has not reached the corner of the chair and has created shadow. One other idea I was comsidering as not to use any flash heads at all...only the tungsten lighting found in the side table lights etc. This would have created a more homely feel. To help dress the scene I should have also had one of the many family portraits in sho on the side table.
One of the main reasons why I decided to photograph my grandparents house was because the interior of the property has taken on very little change. The furniture, fixtures and fittings are all original and visiting my grandparents almost feels as though you are stepping back in time.
Compared to the previous image and after adjusting the lights, a vast improvement has been made. Comparing both images the shadows on the left hand side of the armschair have now dissapeared and the shadows on the back wall have been softened. As a photographer I was able to analyse my image, look at how I could improve the the image and implement any changes. Should I capture the same image again I would like to make further changes. For example, I would have the side table light and electric fire switched on, the curtain on the left hand side drawn and reduce the the amount of light from the flash heads. Another possibility would be to capture the same image at a later time of day.
Above is an example of what my image was going to look like. As you can see there are still shadows that I would like to get rid of. Rearranging the lights and filling in the areas where light is not reaching will resolve this.
As mentioned here is the image showing how I had my lights positioned. As well as using flash heads as my source of light, natural light from the windows was also used to my advantage and to add warmth to the room I introduced one tungsten light. With regards to the use of the tungsten light I do question whether this has made much differnece to the image or whether I could have improved it by using an amber gel?
Before setting up the lights I decided to photograph the room to show how dull, boring and flat it really was before I introduced artificaal light. Following on from there I then photographed how I had my lights positioned so the viewer can understand how I achieved the result and finally is the final product after making minor adjustments.
