When working with one light, we can control the level of contrast by using a reflector of some sort. In the images below we look at the effect a large piece of white foam core has on our subject. The white foam core is an inexpensive way of creating a versatile reflector.
First, here is a diagram showing the initial light set-up. We have a stand mounted flash at right angles to the camera and our subject set on a table. The camera is tripod mounted. I have placed a large black portfolio behind the subject (didn't have any black paper or card big enough!). The camera was set to 1/200, my flash synch speed. All shots bar the first were at F5.6. The first was at F8 to compensate for the extra light falling on the subject without the diffuser.
Note that the first photograph has been made without the diffusing umbrella.
The image above has been taken without diffusion. A characteristic of this light is that it is very contrasty. This is often called 'hard' light. This light might be good for a very contrasty body light sculpture.
The image above has been shot with the diffuser in place. The contrast is now not as harsh as the previous image. Technically this relates to the size of the light source. By putting an umbrella in front of the light we have increased the size of the light source. A larger light source results in softer shadows as the light 'wraps' around more of the shape of the subject.
I have now introduced a white foam core reflector 1 meter to the right of the statue. The effect is very subtle but you can see a little more light coming in if you study the area around the statues chest & collar bone.
The reflector is moved closer to the statue by half the distance. The effect is again subtle but look at the area around the statues left thigh.
I have now wrapped kitchen foil around the foam core with the dull side facing out. This has dramatically increased the amount of light being reflected back into the shadows.
Now the foil has been reversed so that the shiny side is bouncing light back, Notice that the reflected light has taken on a much 'crisper' appearance.
Finally the light is being reflected back by crumpled foil. There is slightly less light coming back which at first seems strange but when you stop and think about what is happening it makes sense. The crumpled foil is reflecting light off in all directions so that not as much light is getting back to the statue.
This exercise shows that with just a single light source and a reflector you have quite a lot of latitude on how you light a subject. It is worth remembering that this light source need not necessarily be a flash light. It could be the sun!
What would I have done differently in this exercise? Well, I think the images would have benefited from more depth of field. If you look at the hand with the discuss you can see it is out of focus. If this had been a photograph for anything other than an exercise I would not have been happy with this.
