Lighting

Lighting is everything in photography.  If the light is fabulous, it can make up for a poorly composed shot, but for a great shot, you have to have both.  When using available light try to choose an angle, or direct your subject so that the light is coming from either side at a 45º to 90º angle.  Two common mistakes folks make, is shooting with the light coming from the same direction as the camera, or the light is coming from behind your subject, directly at your camera lens.  You’ve seen the photo where the subject is in silhouette with a bright sky in back.

When your subject is lit from the side you can see shapes, textures, and it creates a more natural, pleasing look.  This not only applies when using the sun as your main light source, but when using artificial lighting, such as hot lights and strobes.  Try and utilize all the natural light that is available, and use supplemental lights only when needed to fill in dark areas of the shot.  Sometimes it’s good to bounce a light off the ceiling to up the exposure level a bit.

An added element that will take your photos to the next level, is the use of your camera’s flash attachment.  You can use this as your main light, source if your available light is too dark for a good exposure, but usually you’ll get flashy and unnatural looking photos.  The better way to use your flash attachment, is as a “fill-flash.” And, just as the name implies it acts as a “filler-light.”  For example, you’re shooting a group of people outside and the sun (main light source) is coming in nicely from the side, but there are still dark shadows on everyone’s faces.  This is where the fill-flash light works perfectly.

The trick is, how bright should the fill-flash be?  You’ll need to play around with the flash a bit to get the right look.  Adjust the angle of the flash, maybe don’t face it directly at your subject, but angle it up, if the flash attachment allows you to do this.  Adjust your f-stop, (shutter speed has no effect on flash, since flash is instantaneous) and “stop down or up” your flash attachment – In other words, lessen or increase the brightness of your flash.  Also, try and use some sort of diffusion on your flash.  An opaque, milky colored plastic diffuser works great and they come in many shapes and sizes.  I personally like the ones made by Gary Fong.  Keep shooting and checking your image as you proceed though all these adjustments.  Once you’ve dialed in your flash for a certain environment, you’re good to go.  Keep checking your shots as you go along to make sure things haven’t changed.  Don’t get discouraged – Flash can be very challenging but will make a huge difference in your work.

Remember, direct sun, especially midday is harsh and not good for photographing people.  Shooting under overcast skies or in the shade is actually a whole lot better; less contrast.  Overcast skies are also great for shooting gardens and landscapes.

Thanks for stopping by, FS, StickleyPhoto