Experiment with different sources of light to create different photo effects
Find and organize the materials and the location as described below,
make sure all the participants have the possibility to take pictures,
arrange a way to share picture among the group and to visualize them in the room (use of whatsapp group and projector recommended)
Materials needed
✓ different sources of light:
– candles (stick candles, Broad Candles and Teacandles)
– a Flashlight
– a led spotight with RGB light
– bunch of glowsticks
✓ different reflective sources:
-a desk mirror
-a reflecting panel for photography (or a polystyrene panel)
-a white umbrella
✓ piecese of paper and cardbord
✓ scissors
Proposed location
✓ Large space with window blinders to make the rooom dark
✓ if possible multy-functional space with projector and screen for display during feedbacks
Steps
1.
The Facilitator shows to the participants the various objects that can produce or project light
2.
The participants choose a subject for the photograph (it can a person or an object) on witch they will work in group.
3.
The Facilitator uses, one by one, the various object to reflect the natural light of the room on the subject chosen, the participants take photos of the subject. (about 2 minutes per object used)
4.
in the dark room, the facilitator uses the different light sources to illuminate the subject, sometimes from different angles, the participants take pictures of the subject (about 2 minutes per light souce and angle used)
5.
in the dark room, the facilitator uses a cutout made of paper as a mask to project shadows on the walls with one preferred lightsource, the participants take pictures of theshadow (about 2 minutes)
6.
The Facilitator and participants sit in a circle to compare the various photos done and give feedbacks:
How does the subject change in the different lights? what effects are created with different sources and angles?. (10 minutes)
7.
The Participants can now experiment on their own:
They are tasked to produce one or more photos using the objects and techniques they had just witnessed.
they can work singularly or in couples as they prefer. The Facilitator observes the work and interveenes to assure the safety of the participants and the peaceful execution of the task. (20 minutes)
8.
The participants and the facilitator meet in a circle and share the photo’s produced with the other (if possible use wathever sharing app available and a projector to show the work done to everyone).
9.
Each participant in turn presents to the group their own favourite photo produced during the exercise, sharing the rison why the photo is their favourite and what was the choice to use that light effect to depict the subject. (5 minute each)
Closing up
- How was the experience?
- How can a different light change our perception of the subject of a photo?
- When observing the photos made by others and listening to their interpretation of it did your interpretetion of their photo coincide?
To go further
- If you have already reached the stage in the workshop where the participants already started to work on a personal Story, you could task them to try to depict someting that comes from their story into the picture while experimenting
- If you have time, you can use this exercise twice during the workshop, once in the frst half and once towards the end, to make theparticipants reflect on how their knew awarness can change the way they take a picture
