Assignment 5

Light and composition in action

In this assignment, you will explore how natural light changes the mood and look of an image. You’ll take two photos—one in harsh midday light and one in flat, diffused light—while intentionally applying a compositional guideline and a color scheme to each image. The goal is to develop control over light, composition, and color to create more intentional photographs.

Instructions

Step One: Capture Two Images with Different Light

Using two different types of light, make two separate images utilizing the same compositional guideline and color scheme.

Options of type of light:

• Harsh mid-day light: Taken under strong sunlight, showing high contrast and defined shadows.

• Flat light: Taken in diffused or overcast conditions, with minimal shadows.

• Artificial light: Using any kind of introduced light, whether it be flash, found street lights, table lamps, etc.

• Modified light: Change natural or artificial light using an outside element like reflectors, umbrellas, sheets, paper, etc.

Remember:

The photos should use the same compositional guideline and the same color scheme. The subject of the photo does not need to be the same.

Step Two: Submit your Images & Reflection

Pick your two best images and write a brief reflection addressing:

• What did you photograph, and why?

• How did different lighting conditions effect the image?

• Which compositional guideline did you use, and how did it influence your approach?

• How did the chosen color scheme impact the overall look?

• What kind of feedback would you like—technical, compositional, narrative?

tl;dr: What to Hand In

1. Your final two images.

2. A short paragraph or two reflecting on the points above.

3. (Optional) To make it engaging, upload your images without labeling the compositional guideline or color scheme and let your peers guess which aperture and shutter speed you used!