How Space Changes With Light

The space I’m using in this exercise is my office at home, as it’s where I spend most of my time. I’ve often thought about the light in the room and wondered if it affects my mood or motivation. One thing I do know is that this room can change from light to dark and back again in the space of a few minutes so I knew I could carry out this exercise in one sitting but decided to pace it out throughout the day to also show how the changing weather can affect the space and how the light changes it.

This photograph was taken at around 10am when the sky was fairly overcast but without any rainfall. I’m certain the light on the wall is from my computer screen and in hindsight should have switched it off first to get a true representation of the natural light coming into the room. However, my screen is emitting light in all the photographs I took so its an accurate picture when comparing light at different times.

At midday the room was much brighter and I’ve just noticed, after saying my screen is on in all the photos, it isn’t switched on in this photo. I’m not sure it would have an affect anyway because the room is so bright. The sky had cleared and the sun was shining.

This is now in the afternoon at around 2pm. The sun is still shining albeit moved around to the right and has given this lovely effect of some shade but also some quite dramatic light through the blinds. This effect starts on the back wall and slowly throughout the day moves around to the side wall where it becomes placed inside the frame I’ve been using all day. This is my favourite lighting effect on a photograph but when I’m working at my desk I have to adjust the blinds to take the brightness away from my eyes. Notice too how ambient the light is in the room compared to the earlier versions.

I’m adding an extra photograph which shows how different the light is when the weather changes.

The light has diminished considerably during heavy rain. Even the light from the screen is struggling to brighten up the room. It’s quite rare the space is this dark unless its approaching sundown.

In conclusion, light can change the look and feel of a space to the point where it doesn’t seem like the same room. In this series of photographs the mood changes with the light to appear, moody, dramatic, artistic, miserable, dark, bright and happy. This also change with different types of weather and also throughout the seasons. I always look forward to the golden tones of light in Autumn lighting up all the russet bright colours, theres no season quite so dramatic. Of course, you can’t have light without shadows which add to the changing mood of the space too.

The Users Viewpoint

I would have liked to have photographed spaces of interest for this exercise but being temporarily housebound I got to thinking, I can photograph any specific space from the users viewpoint.  Whilst wanting to demonstrate the differences between photographing from the viewpoint of the user, I also wanting to produce something pleasing to the eye in what is otherwise quite mundane subject.

The first space chosen is the bedroom, more specifically the viewpoint of a person lying down.  Getting down to this level isn’t a natural position to be in when holding a camera and not something I would ordinarily do with a static subject.

I’m pleased with this perspective and can see this photograph being suitable for an interior design article or publication (with better lighting!).  Although the bed fills up a third of the photograph the low position of the camera is aiming the eyes towards head position and everything around it.

In contrast and for comparison I took a photograph in the same spot but in a standing position.

This is the difference between an amateur photograph and a professional photograph or in other words, a well thought out composition against a point and shoot one.  Interestingly the light is different in both photographs too but this could be due to a change in my cameras settings or even a cloud passing by at that time.  Either way a change of position has caused the difference in light.

The second space I chose to photograph is the bathroom.  Using that same method as above I used the bath and in particular where a person would be positioned as a viewpoint.

This is an interesting composition where everything looks in proportion without any distorted views.  Again I took the same photograph from standing height.

You now lose the symmetry and the image looks distorted.  Its also not such a pleasing photograph as some of the view has been lost.

This exercise has made me more aware of choosing a perspective to fit the purpose.  When I’m photographing children, especially toddlers, its imperative that I place myself at their height.  It gives a more realistic vision of them at such a young age and everything can be placed in its correct perspective.

 

 

 

Exploring Function

When reading the purpose of this exercise I immediately thought about photographing my bathroom and showing its function within its space but I decided that was far too self explanatory.

I needed to find an interior space, whether domestic or public, and think about how that space focuses on how it was intended to be used.  Also considering if the space works for its intended purpose.

Around this time I was about to visit a local exhibition aptly named, Landscapes with Machines, which was being displayed in my hometown of Coalbrookdale in Shropshire.  This was part of the ‘shifting worlds contemporary arts programme’ where various art projects were being carried out in and around the Ironbridge Gorge.

Before visiting the exhibition space I had a think about the function of the room itself and how I perceive the room to be fit for purpose.

• The general public will use the room so consideration will have been given for viewing space, manoeuvrability and noise levels.
• It will contain art in the form of paintings, photographs and sculptures.
• The art will need to be displayed in cabinets or on walls.
• Light will be needed to view the art.

These are the most basic expectations before entering the room.  I also considered things you can’t see, for instance heating as the temperature can be translated and form part of the photograph especially if people are present.

When I entered the space, I found that my expectations of its use had been met and started to look for a viewpoint that best showcases the spaces function.  I had preconceived ideas of pictures being hung on walls and sculptures being displayed in glass cabinets with plenty of space to stand back a view the artwork.  It was important for me to incorporate these elements into one photograph.

This is my interpretation of how the space works and what it’s used for.  Had there been any other people in the room I would photograph them viewing one of the pictures to further eventual its use but sadly I was alone.  However the use of the space is evident in the displays and descriptions, lighting and foot space.  I chose this viewpoint because it included the pictures and display cabinet you would expect to find in a gallery whilst giving a feel of the space the user needs to stand back and enjoy them.