Exercise - The Lighting Angle

 

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (1)
f/5.6  1/30  ISO-200
Light position: Front (behind camera)

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (2)
f/5.6  1/40  ISO-200
Light position:  Direct left

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (3)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-200
Light position:  Directly behind

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (4)
f/5.6  1/25  ISO-200
Light position: To one side (behind and to the right)

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (5)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-200
Light position:  Front & raised - 45 degree angle downwards

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (6)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-200
Light position:  Direct left & raised - 45 degrees downwards

2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (7)
f/5.6 1/8 ISO-200
Light position: Directly behind & raised - 45 degrees downwards



2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (8)
f/5.6 1/15 ISO-200
Light position: To one side & raised - 45 degrees downwards



2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (9)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-100
Light position:  Directly above



2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (10)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-100
Light position:  Above & slightly to the front



2013.03.31.FamilySculpture (11)
f/5.6  1/50  ISO-100
Light position:  Above & slightly behind



Shooting from the side seems to best show the form of the subject.  Raised from the side maintains the three dimensional qualities of the form, while also revealing more details in the highlights.
Image (3), with the light behind creating a silhouette is quite effective and shows the overall shape well.  Keeping the light behind, and move it to the side shows off the edges.
When the light was raised and pointing downwards 45 degrees, I needed to move the light back further from the subject, but did not have the room where I was working.  Without over exposing the image, the umbrella prongs were visible.  In future, I will make sure there is plenty of room around the table to allow for moving the light source further from the subject. 
I like the contrast in the shot with the light behind and to one side.  From the front, including above, the lighting is more even, so there is little contrast.  With the light positioned above and slightly behind, some light areas add form and detail to the silhouette.
Although the exposure is not as desired for image lit from a raised position to one side, I can see the potential in the lighting from that direction.  The photo lit from above is fairly balanced, showing detail while also providing some contrast.  However, I think I prefer the higher contrast that positioning the light to one side affords.  Obviously, introducing a second light source into the equation will give further control and more options to choose from, for whatever the desired effect.