Research and Planning: Test shots using DSLR camera

I have used a DSLR camera to create some various test shot examples which you can view below. I took each shot type inside the college and outside the building to get an idea of how natural light effects images as well as unnatural light generated by light bulbs. I also took each type of shot with and without a flash to see which settings create the highest quality photographs. The time and effort used to produce these images was spent to help me grasp the best way of photographing my model, which settings on the camera to use, whether to use flash and whether to produce the shot inside or outside?

The images on the left are photographs which use the flash setting and the images on the right are taken without flash. (left=flash  right=without flash)


Close up of person: 

Inside:

Outside:

The close up pictures were a great success in producing great quality images of a person's face. The top right image I feel is the best image in terms of settings and location as the flash in the top left image produces a shine on the models face and the images outside are a little grey and slightly colourless.

Long shot of person:

Inside:

Outside:

I believe the images taken outside of the college produced the better pictures as the natural light casts no shadows over the model. It's clear to see that using flash inside a building creates a obvious glare in the images, which was seen in the close up shot type as well. 

Small Object:

Inside:

The image of the object without the flash has created an image with more depth of colour which clearly shows the greens from the blacks. The flash however has brightened the colours showing less of a contrast. 

Flower:

Outside:

With flowers, it's important to be able to express bright colours for a beautiful object and the shot which included the flash has produced the higher quality image. There is not much difference between the two but looking closer, the colours on the left image are slightly more expressive. 

Long Shot:

Inside:











Outside:

Using the scenery setting on the DSLR has enabled me to produce some very good long shot images whether I am inside or outside. Determining whether I would like shadows casting on my background or allow the natural light to brighten every aspect, will be the key decision to whether I take the image inside or outside.  

Two Shot:

Inside:

Outside:

Once again, the outside images have become slightly colourless especially the colour in the skin whereas the flash image on the top left has produced glare therefore it's becoming clear that an non-flash image taken inside will be the best arrangement of settings to produce model shots. 

Over the shoulder shot:

Inside:












Outside:

The over the shoulder shot type is another example where the highest quality shot, I believe is the inside shot without the flash. The skin colour in the outside shots has become weaker and the inside picture with the flash has yet again produced glare.