On Friday of last week, the Voices from Oxford team filmed a welcome statement from the new Master of Balliol College, Dame Helen Ghosh. I had the opportunity to take some photographs, and simply used the diffused daylight from the window. For me, this is the very best light to use when it is possible to do so. Studio photographer will use a softbox or a beauty dish to achieve a similar look. Note that direct sunlight streaming in through the window would not have worked as well - it would have been too harsh and contrasty.

I also paid attention to the exposure, and composed the image carefully by placing Dame Helen between the two pictures on the wall. Notice that there is more space on the right of the photo for the subject to look into; we call this "negative space" and it is an essential element in any composition.

You can watch the full video here.