We live in a diverse and continually changing environment. By using photography, we are able to capture these changing moments in time and record them as images. However, it is the manner in which we capture the images that determines the reaction to the final image.
We can define photography as “painting with light”. I prefer a different expression, “capturing
light”. Photography is a mixture of science and art. We use our minds to frame a picture, and that is the art part of photography; capturing the image on film/digital sensor, is the science part. By being able to see light, we are able to concentrate on composition, and once we master
composition, we head into more creative realms. It is these principles that I want to teach in these notes: To view and capture a scene; with emphasis on light, angles and composition.
Original definition: The method of recording the image of an object through the action of light,
on light sensitive material
The actual phonetics are derived from Greek words:
photos = Light
grahphein = to draw
This term was first used in the 1830’s when the first photographs were produced. Today, due to the different types photography that has evolved, the definition has evolved into many different forms.
Light in photography- colour and quality of light
On earth there is one major source of light, the Sun. As the sun rises each day, it moves from being on the horizon, to right above us and then down onto the horizon again. This rising and setting affects the quality and colour of the light that reaches us. At dawn and dusk the oblique angle of light produces very warm colours of red and gold. This is due to the blue and green colours of sunlight being filtered out by the band of atmospheric dust that lies just above the Earths surface. (You could say that pollution has helped create warmer colours for photographers in the cities) Red and yellow rays are thus predominant during early mornings and late afternoons.
During midday hours, the sun shines directly down onto the Earths surface. There is little
atmospheric dust to filter out the suns rays and hence the colour of the light is more normal. Of
course, there are exceptions to the rule. Overcast days produce good, soft light in the middle of the day allowing for good photography throughout the day!
Of more importance though, is that it will show you how everyday subjects can change in their
appearance due to one factor- Light.
Due to the Earths movement around the sun, we experience seasons. During summer months, the sun rises and sets at a very perpendicular angle. This causes the light to be of good quality, but becomes very strong and harsh early on in the day. During the winter months, the sun rises at a more oblique angle to the earth and shines light at a low angle for longer periods. The quality of the light lasts longer in winter as it does in summer. The quality and colour of light are the foremost indicators of how you are going to go about your photography. They set the stage for you, your camera and the images that you create. Of high importance, is that by looking at Light, It will show you how everyday subjects can change in their appearance due to that one factor.
Types of light- Front lighting, Side lighting, Back-lighting
The angle at which light strikes a subject can have a dramatic effect on what we see. Front lighting is described when you see a subject with the light shining from the front. (You are
between the sun and the subject) Front lighting shows very little shadow and thus very little
depth; images are very representative and two-dimensional. This is the way we were all
taught to take a picture. “Look into the sun when you are having your picture taken” was the
cry I always used to hear from my mom!
Side lighting is when the sun is shining at right angles to the subject. It shows great detail and
texture in the subject as well as bringing out a third dimension in the image.
Back lighting is when the light is shining from behind the subject. (The subject is between you and the sun) Almost always a silhouette, backlighting is very effective for subjects with a
recognisable shape. Subjects with fur or hair often have a ring or halo of light around them,
creating stunning effects. This is probably the most difficult of the three lighting techniques
to master, but can be the most rewarding!
Mood and atmosphere
Other climatic factors can contribute to create mood and atmosphere. Cloudy, overcast skies
can create a feeling of doom. Likewise, dust in golden light can create a very peaceful and
ethereal scene. These elements can be very powerful in adding emotion, mood and
atmosphere into an image.
Diffused light
Cloudy skies are often a blessing in disguise for capturing images. You can photograph
during the midday hours, shadows are reduced and colour saturation is very nice. Clouds act
as a big filter and diffuse light so that it falls very evenly. This type of light is very good for
taking portrait shots of all sorts of creatures.
For more information on Photography courses and how to improve your photography see here.
All text copyright C4 Images and Safaris
No comments:
Post a Comment