Exposure metering & observing the available light
Exposure metering & observing the available light
As a photographer you'll often hear instruction to just "look at the available light". Great. But this advice is also often given without clear examples of what we're actually supposed to be looking at. So let's explore that a little bit using a sequence of images of our model, Aleona, photographed during a recent individual photography workshop. This is also keeping with the loose theme over the past few weeks, that for a photographer "using the available light" is not a random thing or just a meaningless catch-phrase. Read more inside...photo session (available light) – Ekaterina
photo session (available light) - Ekaterina
Ekaterina, (or Kate, if your tongue trips over her name), was the model at the top of my recent review of the Canon 8-15mm f/4L fisheye zoom lens. Since the fisheye makes everything bendy, and it must be the least flattering of lenses for portraits, I wanted to show a handful of images from the rest of the photo session with her. These should portray her graceful beauty much better. Read more inside...“Using the available light” is not a random decision
"Using the available light" is not a random decision
Since I often use flash or additional light, there was some surprise in the (favorable) comments in the Facebook album when I mentioned this photo was shot without any flash. Not even fill-flash. Just the available light. But where I posed the bride, was a specific decision. It wasn't just random. Now, I often get the feeling that when someone boasts they only use available light, that it is meant to disguise that they don't know how to use additional lighting. My thought here is that unless you find yourself in great light, or Read more inside...technique – using lens flare for effect
technique - using lens flare for effect
While lens designers try to minimize lens flare, and we use lens hoods, we can often use lens flare for special effect. Shielding the front element of the lens from direct sun and other strong light sources helps giving a more contrasty image. But letting the lens flare take over in a controlled way, can really give impact. That golden, sun-drenched summery feel to a photograph enhances the mood. During this recent photo session in Central Park, New York, with a couple, Alli and Scott, the lens flare was quite intentional. But as is usual, Read more inside...directing & posing an available light portrait
directing & posing - using randomly found available light as portrait lighting
During a trip to California, I was keen to meet up with another favorite model, Bethany. We were allowed to shoot in a night-club on a Sunday afternoon when it was all quiet with no one there. It's an interesting place to work with a beautiful model, and I had a multiple-flash setup ready to use. However, the first series of photos of Bethany was shot with just the available light there. But first I had to recognize the light as being interesting light for a portrait. I had to "see" it first. As it Read more inside...photo sessions – Shawna
photo sessions - Shawna - using a variety of photographic lighting options
Shawna is the delightful model I used while I was in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. She helped us out during the mini-workshops I offered, as well as some photos of my own. I've posted a few photos from these already, but thought it might be interesting to show a further selection of images and discuss them ... Read more inside...Photography: Direction of the light – using available light
Photography: Direction of the light - using available light
This striking photo of Shawna illustrates something that I want to underline: at some level, our consideration of the light that we're using remains the same, whether we're using available light, or flash, or video light or some other continuous light source. We need to consider the direction and quality of the light we have or are creating. We then either need to adapt our lighting, or adapt our way of shooting our subject, to complement our subject. So let's look closer at the light / lighting used for this photo ... Read more inside...photography: looking at the available light
photography - looking for, and using the available light
Let me say this out straight – I hate gazebos. I hate gazebos and fountains and I especially hate having to photograph a couple at whatever landmark/feature that a reception venue has, where every other couple from the last five years has been photographed. There, I’ve said it. I feel better now, with that weight off my shoulders. Wedding portaits should be about capturing the romance, and capturing the relationship between the couple. I want to show how much they are in love with each other, rather than the wooden structure Read more inside...Available light vs Fill-flash
Available light vs Fill-flash
A question that popped up in my web stats was interestingly phrased: Do natural light photographers always use fill flash? The question curiously implies that you might not find natural light which is perfect. However, as photographers, that is something we're constantly searching for: perfect light. It is out there, somewhere. So, resisting the temptation to just answer with a cheeky "no", let's consider an example of when you would not want or need fill-flash. The thing with natural light, is that you have to look at it. You have to look at Read more inside...- « Previous Page
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