How space changes with light

The exercise is to demonstrate the appearance of space with light by taking images of the same space in different lighting conditions. There is congruence here with an exercise in TAOP - lighting through the day (see http://www.chrissimsartofphotography.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/light-through-day.html) where the same subject was taken at different times of the day.

I selected a fairly straightforward subject for this: our patio. I considered it unnecessary to overly complicate the exercise; something at home made for opportunity to consider different lighting. In order to maintain consistency with the angle of the shot, I used a tripod and marked where the feet should go (similar to the approach taken in the exercise referred to above).

The first two images are taken in sunlight:

The lower level sunlight of the first image provides more detail of the table and chairs. If we were advertising the products, this image would work far better than the second, where the camera has struggled with the degree of lighting contrast. We end up with a rather messy image of chaotic light and dark caused by the shadows. The eye is taken to the shadows on the ground and away from the furniture.

Now consider the scene in completely featureless light on a cloudy day - it is dull, flat and boring. The furniture is clear, but, frankly, looks unappealing in such a dull image.

Lastly, I took an image at night using the the outside tungsten lighting. This provides a much more intimate feel to the space (the far background is now completely dark).

I tried out some differing angles as suggested by the exercise but came to the conclusion that this really is the optimal angle for this space, and reviewing alternative angles confused the message.

So much of photography is about light that is is useful to revisit this concept in the current context. One factor I had not given much thought to before is the sense of intimacy that can be induced by taking images in different light; this plus reinforcing the point that dull light makes dull images are the learning outcomes from this exercise.