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03/17/2003 12:39:50 PM · #1 |
I really enjoyed the brige images last week, but I also noticed that there
was not much effort by many photographers at finding interesting light. To
me, light is almost everything. I try to make it or find it, and if the
light is not interesting, I know it will not do well.
Any thoughts on "finding light?"
David
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03/17/2003 12:49:13 PM · #2 |
So many times I stumble across a location that would make a cool shot and unfortunately it always seems to be at the wrong time of day. I try to make note of the location and return before sundown. I like to shoot late afternoons myself, adds a nice glow and warm colors to my shots. Early morning is nice too. I keep a compass in my camera bag. When scouting out new locations or in areas on vacation, etc., I can see where the sun will be when the magic light time comes. :)
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03/17/2003 01:04:42 PM · #3 |
I do the same, and it makes a world of difference, even with B/W photos.
There is something "magical" about light at certain times of the day.
I saw a lot of bridge photos in which the light was fantastic (check out the
top 10 or so).
Sunset and late afternoon light is heavy and warm. I find early morning
light much more fleeting, but it has a lighter, "fresher" tone. Well,
usually anyway?
David
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03/17/2003 01:24:55 PM · #4 |
I completely agree about needing good light for good photos. However, since this is a challenge with only a one week window of opportunity it can be difficult to capture the perfect light with your chosen subject in that time frame. I finally found a great location yesterday to shoot one of the themes but I had to make the best of it because I didn't have time to come back. So it may not have been perfect at that moment but It certainly will at another time and my photos will be better. I know of several locations where I have tried to capture the perfect light and environment and, while I have gotten very close at times, I am still waiting for the magic to happen. This site has been fantastic for learning but I can't always expect to capture a masterpiece in each short time frame. Not just yet anyway : )
T
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03/17/2003 01:33:08 PM · #5 |
I went to take my bridge shot after work on the Friday evening. The sun was blinding me as I drove down the road to the canal, but the second I parked up & got out of the car it vanished behind a cloud. Half an hour later it was raining and that's how it stayed all weekend :-/
I agree that good light can make a huge difference to a shot but for a week long challenge your chances are quite literally in the hands of the gods!
Scab-lab, that's a great tip regarding the compass. Thank you.
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03/17/2003 04:08:19 PM · #6 |
I'm with timj on this. Although I was on holiday that week, so I had a good deal more flexibility with lighting than usual, I only had one day that wasn't overcast or raining, and I went to Stonehenge and Avebury instead of chasing bridges.
kevin |
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03/17/2003 08:01:06 PM · #7 |
| I, too, agree that lighting can "make or break" a photo, but reality check needs to be in place as well. I drove into the mountains for my shot. It was nasty, raining out all day and come nightfall, that rain would be frozen to the roads, so both morning and evening light would have placed my life (and my wife's) at risk. Add to that, remember I was in the mountains, in the rain, it was dark already at the brightest part of the day! (More deleted whining....) |
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03/17/2003 08:28:31 PM · #8 |
Well, I live in Northeast Ohio where the skies are gray and overcast most of the winter. It would not make any difference what time of day I take a picture. Sunlight is just not available, so I make do with what is available.
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03/17/2003 09:07:35 PM · #9 |
A combination of light and shadow is what makes a great image.
Getting the "right" light at the "right" angle can turn a snapshot into an artwork.
Often times, shadow plays as important a role in the quality of an image as the light. "Across the River Orb" which finished 6th in the "bridge" competition is a good example of the importance of shadow.
//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=13543
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03/17/2003 10:25:02 PM · #10 |
I find that overcast skies help punch colors and color saturation in a photo, and even in gray skies, some times of the day are more "magic" than others. To some extent, I suppose that those photographers who are willing to go out of their way to get good light end up with pictures that are remarkable?
IN studio shots, one can often tell when special lighting techniques or special lighting was used, too.
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