Chiaroscuro Photography?

GeremyM · May 15, 2014

I have a Chiaroscuro assignment due in two weeks and these are the first set of pictures I've taken for it. I just need to know am I on the right track, what I need to look for for the next set of pictures, and is my light too "soft".

Here's the album link:
Chiaroscuro Photography - Imgur

EDIT: Here's my second set of Chiaroscuro images that I'm hopefully still on the right path with.

Chiaroscuro Photography Set 2 - Imgur

EDIT 2: 3rd and last set of Chiaroscuro images

http://imgur.com/a/lyRKs

Braineack · May 15, 2014

right track, yes. there yet, no.

try to expose for just the light on her face.

using the window as an example, you want to end up with something more like this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/80607199@N08/13388930773/

tirediron · May 15, 2014

It's definitely moving in the right direction; the aspect that bothers me is that we see the light source, the window. I think if you were to crop the window out of #s 4 & 5 you would have nailed it for those two.

Designer · May 15, 2014

If we share the same definition of chiaroscuro, then your shot #2 is a good example. For you next shoot, find an ordinary sphere, such as a beach ball. I'm thinking that a simpler subject would illustrate the chiaroscuro without extraneous subject material. Put together a sphere, a cylinder, a cube (for contrast) and the light you chose is working just fine.

GeremyM · May 15, 2014

Thank you for the feedback. One of the future sets I'm hoping to do will have more direct lighting. These photo's were all shot during a storm so there wasn't much light coming through the window. Part of the assignment guideline is there has to be a person in it and from the knee's up at least has to be showing.

Braineack · May 15, 2014

do it and get the light source out of the shot. Spot meter and expose for just the light hitting your subject. If possible keep the subject away from any background, like in front of a hallway.

fun fact of the day: IF you google "chaiaroscuro portraits" you get Scatterbrain's avatar picture

Derrel · May 15, 2014

Chiaroscuro - Google Search

The_Traveler · May 15, 2014

Something more like this might fit the assignment better.
fewer middle tones, outline important stuff in darks and whites

Scatterbrained · May 15, 2014

Braineack said:
do it and get the light source out of the shot. Spot meter and expose for just the light hitting your subject. If possible keep the subject away from any background, like in front of a hallway.

fun fact of the day: IF you google "chaiaroscuro portraits" you get Scatterbrain's avatar picture

Ok, that made me laugh right there!

Geremy; Yeah, you're on the right track. One thing to keep in mind (although it looks like you've got the general idea) is that chiaroscuro is the interplay of light and shadow to give shape. A very simple example is indeed my avatar, where the shadow side is given shape by the lit background behind it. For me your last three images are the most solid in the concept as they have a clear rhythm of light/dark/light/dark/light/dark, with the fifth image (third up from bottom) being the strongest representation of the concept. The only nit I have with number 5 is the left arm placement. If she'd have lifted her hand a bit further up her leg, you wouldn't have cropped her hand right across the knuckles (generally bad form) and her arm would have been slightly closer to her torso, allowing it to pick up some of the reflected light from the dress which would provide a soft highlight on the inside of the arm. This would have given better separation between the inside of the arm and the wall behind which is in shadow.

Just my two cents anyway.

rexbobcat · May 15, 2014

Yeah, there's too much light surrounding your model. Chiarscuro (as you probably already know) literally means light-dark, so you need a lot of contrast on the subject. You're on the right track though!

GeremyM · May 21, 2014

Updated OP with link to new album of Chiaroscuro pictures. Tried taking out as much of the midtones as possible to create that light/dark picture.

The_Traveler · May 21, 2014

GeremyM said:
Updated OP with link to new album of Chiaroscuro pictures. Tried taking out as much of the midtones as possible to create that light/dark picture.

In virtually every picture, the point is too have the most important parts of the image where the technique issues are most evident.
Just taking midtones out doesn't do it.
The first three are just boosted contrast with the lights and shadows falling essentially randomly.
Only 4 comes close and the face is way too dark.

GeremyM · May 21, 2014

Yeah I talked to my prof about the 2nd set of pictures and they were all pretty much complete busts. The 4th one might have worked if I had her lying down or sitting on the floor of the gazebo. Looks the like the best way to do this assignment using ambient light is through window lighting. I'll probably try to improve on the first set of images as they seem to be the closet to what I need to do. Full body shot, more room shown, and take the light source out of the picture.

GeremyM · May 26, 2014

Thanks to every for the critique's and tips. Just have this last set of images to show everyone and then I'll stop bothering you all. Check out the updated OP to the link to the 3rd and last set of images.