What is inverse square law in photography and how it effect your image? How would a large light source (even lighting) would be compared to close up same size light source with "soft lighting". So what's better way to learn than seeing it yourself through a "science" experiment? Well, in this little science experiment, I asked a friend of mine to stand in for some photographs.
-All "small" are just speed light pointed at subject
-Flash power consistent in all photo 1/128th to ensure that it's not creating extra fill from bounce. ISO was used to change exposure
-To prevent ambient from affecting the image, I used 1/200th sec and have as little light in the room as possible.
1.So, it appears that close up with large light source have a gradient to it's shadow, mid tone slowly fade into black.
2.The shadow seems to be not as dark on the same size light source but further away. The gradient is also almost completely gone, suggesting an "even" lighting"
3.Far small light source compared to far large light source seems to give a harsher edge to its shadow, and also provided a darker shadow.
4.Close small light source have the darkest shadow of all, probably because most of the light are being blocked by the subject. It also have a very sharp shadow edge, suggesting that it is a "harsh" light.
Cheers! Correct me if I made any mistakes (including grammar)!
