LIGHT
Light, light, light... Photography is light. Without light no photo.
But what is a good light?
The light around sunset and sunrise a often very appreciated
There are a lot of different light sources some natural and some artificial:
The natural lights are out of control. You should be able to "see" the light and learn how to deal with it.
In addition to 100% natural and 100% flash, all the in-between are possible to get unlimited possibilities!
I will not talk about flashes here. They will be treated in a separate section, as it is a complete new world.
Learn to "see" the light
Everywhen, any time, you can train yourselve by looking at the light. Ask yourself the following questions:
What do you think?
Hard and Soft light
Two photos to explain you:
Hard Ligth |
Soft Light |
What does make a light hard or soft is the relative size of the ligth source compare to the subject.
For example, the sun (that is huge), is relativey small in the sky. So on a sunny day when the sun light you, the shadows will hard.
On the other hand, on a cloudy day, when the sky is full of cloud, the sun his lighting the clouds. So the light is basically all the white sky. Then the shadows are soft.
Hard Light:
Soft Light:
Hot and Cold light
This comes simply from the color of the light. Red/orange, the ligth will be hot. Blue/white we will have a cold light.
PS : The white balance you choose will also modify the color.
Hot Ligth |
Cold Light |
Hot Light:
Cold Light:
HOW TO USE THE LIGTH, EXAMPLES
Soft and cold Ligth |
Hard and hot Light |
The soft light is not working. No texture is visible on the sand, the full picture is flat. On the right one, the hard shadows create interesting partern on the sand.
Hard Ligth |
Soft Light |
Here it is the contrary, the hard light create ugly shadows on the subject whereas the soft light, put the flower in a peaceful environment.
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