North Facing Windows
In my continued reading of the most excellent Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
North facing window, plus diffuse reflection off the white table, plus random background light from the rest of the room:
A different set of North facing windows, plus diffuse reflection off various pieces of white paper that fill in shadows opposite the windows. This lighting is best revealed by inspecting the helmet in the lower right. The white paper provided perhaps too much reflection, as the lemon and helmets are a bit too bright; grey paper might have worked better (coat cardboard in tinfoil if more light is required).
For comparison, mostly direct morning sunlight (harder shadows, sharper highlights) through an East facing window. One shot backlit by an opened moleskin; otherwise, the pictures share the same exposure and B&W conversion:
Finding good lighting requires looking around, experimenting with moving things closer or away from the light source: what does the subject look like close to the window versus near it versus farther away? Does changing the camera position with respect to the subject at these different locations improve the image? Do reflected or other light sources help fill in shadows appropriately? Outside, the time of day, season, and weather might require months to line up just right…