Discover the magic of everyday light

beckyk

I’m a vision-focused photographer so I capture images often based on a single vision. However, I also love to experiment and learn about the light in my everyday. I find that by taking risks and stepping outside of my plan for an image helps me learn and allows me to capture variety in my work.

One of the simplest ways to capture variety in a single setting is to use different directions of light. I think this is incredibly helpful for photographers in business, as often there is one chance using the same type of light in a few locations to capture variety for clients. Using light differently by varying its direction can help increase variety!

Beginner Photographers: Try experimenting in capturing your subject by varying the way the light hits your subject. Remember varying the direction is all about your movement! Try front lighting, side lighting and backlighting your subject in one location.

Tip: Your subject can be anything! A child, a toy, still life…

Intermediate/Advanced photographers: For those of you who fall into this category the same applies here in that I’d like you to vary the direction in which light hits your subject but I also want you to vary angles. Try and get creative in how you use directions of light! Try creating or manipulating the way in which light hits your subject.

Example: This image is front lit yet I varied the angle so even though my subject is being illuminated by front light there is depth within the light in my image because I varied my angle. There's magic in this!

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I’d love very much to see your results! Share them in this thread!

Do you have a favourite direction of light from your series?

littlebluebird · 06-01-16 10:13 AM

Rembrandt lighting in soft light right? I'm having a hard time finding any "interesting" light around my home.

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GinaYeo · 06-01-16 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by littlebluebird

Rembrandt lighting in soft light right? I'm having a hard time finding any "interesting" light around my home.

Hi Jillian! You sound a little frustrated. Maybe start with what type of image you want to create and then think about what kind of light will compliment your "vision" for your image. Do you want a portrait? Or maybe a lifestyle image of your little guy playing? Are you going for a happy, bright, airy feel or a moody, dramatic feel? Seek out and/or manipulate light that will compliment those feelings or enhance your vision for your image!

I think all light can be interesting! it just depends on what you are looking for!

Your little guy is adorable!!

I'm seeing soft light here, side entry at about a 45 degree angle, I'm assuming from a larger window that is just outside the frame and extends a little higher than your little guy. You have loop light here...see that small little loop extended off his nose onto his cheek? It's a lovely portrait with with beautiful soft shadows and lovely depth!

I think you're doing great!

stacy916 · 06-01-16 09:02 PM

Thanks so much for any feedback!

Backlight

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Frontlight

Sidelight. The highlights don't appear blown but they still feel too bright.

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debbyh · 06-01-16 09:52 PM

First let me say, wow ... so much information to read through. I need a vacation from my day job so I can have time to invest in this. LOL I haven't had a chance to pull out my camera this week. Major problems at work spill over into early evening hours. I'm posting a picture I took the May long weekend in Kamloops, B.C. Ideally I probably should have had Jessie facing the window but dogs (like small children) have minds of their own. I snapped this (and the series with it) because I loved how the light was coming into the livingroom. It was raining but the light was so soft and diffused. Any CC you can offer is appreciated.

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elliesaumier · 06-01-16 11:59 PM

Played with backlight with the peonies at the window (I experimented with a lens distortion as well). Then I turned around and saw my hubby illuminated by his computer in the dark room - direct light plus contrast. How can I improve these images? Any strengths to bring forward? For example, my ISO was around 1000 in the peony photo and I think it is a little grainy (it was late evening to not a ton of light). Tips for improving this?

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lisapierce · 06-02-16 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by elliesaumier

Played with backlight with the peonies at the window (I experimented with a lens distortion as well). Then I turned around and saw my hubby illuminated by his computer in the dark room - direct light plus contrast. How can I improve these images? Any strengths to bring forward? For example, my ISO was around 1000 in the peony photo and I think it is a little grainy (it was late evening to not a ton of light). Tips for improving this?

Hi Ellie! I'm no light master or anything but since we're all here to learn, I thought I'd give a few simple thoughts on your images. Please feel free to do the same to mine when I post!

I have no skills at taking photographs of flowers (or any still life for that matter), so you'll have to look for critique somewhere else for that.

But, I will say that the edge of the window cutting through the leaves kind of takes my focus away from the flower. I think if you try to straighten it in post you'll loose some of the flower... I would try shooting a little more straight on and be aware of the lines intersecting your subject.

On the second image, I love how your husbands face is illuminated by the computer... I would just try to clean up the frame a bit. If you were to shoot this again, I would close the door behind him or move to the right a bit and try to get him in front of the dark wall, rather than the open window. The bright light behind him is competing for my attention. Also, I would move in a bit so that the windows to the left and right aren't included in the frame. By doing this, you have one light source on your subject and the eye will naturally go straight to the subject.

Thanks for sharing! Look forward to learning together in this breakout!

melindagold · 06-02-16 01:21 AM

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A little morning light, thanks for your feed back.
I feel like my eyes have gone xray seeking light

lisapierce · 06-02-16 06:44 AM

I have terrible light in my house... like really terrible. Houses in Indonesia are built sharing three walls and the few windows in our house have a 6 foot awning to keep the sun (heat) out... so I never photograph in my house!

But, there is one window that has some afternoon light so I did some experimenting with angles and direction of light. I had my son stand near the window for a second before we started our daily afternoon skip-bo game. ha!

I didn't really know what category of light this falls in to? I love his expression but thoughts on the light? I feel like the color image leaves me thinking he has a big bruise on his cheek. There are all kinds of weird colors in that area. Thoughts on post-processing? I use LR and tried split toning (shadows) but it just couldn't get it worked out... so I moved on to black and white. Is that cheating!?! haha!

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This is my attempt at split light... a little too dark, I think. This wouldn't be a keeper for me... But, since I was intending to work on directional light I kept it. I'll try again.

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Another angle and direction of the same window light.

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I'm here to learn, like all of us, so if anyone has any thoughts or critiques, I would love to hear them! Thanks!!

colliewankenobi · 06-02-16 06:56 AM

Here are a few photos with interesting light that I've found in my home. The two black and white shots are in the same spot, but the position of the subject(s) are different so I think it makes the photos look different. The color photo is by a big north-facing window that has really lovely light in the late afternoon/early evening. Apologies if the quality of the photos is not the best; I'm at work and don't have access to my home computer.

valmoore12 · 06-02-16 09:29 AM

With the fist picture I was trying to get some soft side light

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I was experimenting with backlight with the second one. The picture is technically over exposed but I really like it that way.. I am loving back lighting!!

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On the third I was practicing with backlighting with my son.. I got this rim light around his head that I just love.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

valmoore12 · 06-02-16 09:30 AM

@melindagold

love the light on your subjects!!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by stacy916

Thanks so much for any feedback!

Backlight

Frontlight

Sidelight. The highlights don't appear blown but they still feel too bright.

Hi Stacy! I love that you are playing with light and trying creative techniques like the starbursts you created!

My favourite from your set is the second! The light is warm and golden and the mood in the light matches your subject (who is adorable by the way I love her hair) and her popsicle eating! When it comes to exposure and backlight I tend to underexpose just at touch too and I know I mentioned that in the tip sheet for golden hour light! I might bump up exposure a touch in your second capture! I love that rim of light around her hair too! Gorgeous! Same thing with your third image...try bumping exposure some!

When it come to your fourth image the light is a touch harsh here. I might have had her sit outside of the beam of sun just to her left and back on the grass (viewer right). The light would bounce up off the cement and illuminate her creating nice even skin tones and large catchlights. Right now that strong sun forces her to squint or look down. You have the right idea here though with front light!

In your last image yes you have side light! I agree that the highlights appear blown or close to blown. Try adjusting your exposure. Do you have a pullback of that location by chance? It looks like a great location but I'm wondering if you play around a bit with her positioning what results you might get?! Watch the light as you have her move forward/backward to the right/left. I bet you can still achieve sidelight yet soften the look for a gorgeous portrait!

Wonderful work!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by debbyh

First let me say, wow ... so much information to read through. I need a vacation from my day job so I can have time to invest in this. LOL I haven't had a chance to pull out my camera this week. Major problems at work spill over into early evening hours. I'm posting a picture I took the May long weekend in Kamloops, B.C. Ideally I probably should have had Jessie facing the window but dogs (like small children) have minds of their own. I snapped this (and the series with it) because I loved how the light was coming into the livingroom. It was raining but the light was so soft and diffused. Any CC you can offer is appreciated.

Hi Debby! I'm sorry work is so busy for you. I hope things slow down.

I love how backlight accentuates all those little hairs. It makes the image dimensional as if the viewer could reach out and touch the softness in the fur. I love how the light if falling down onto your furry little model.

One thing I might consider is playing with how a touch more light can be reflected back into your pup's sweet little face. A white pillow, a white blanket, a reflector are all options!

Thanks for sharing!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by elliesaumier

Played with backlight with the peonies at the window (I experimented with a lens distortion as well). Then I turned around and saw my hubby illuminated by his computer in the dark room - direct light plus contrast. How can I improve these images? Any strengths to bring forward? For example, my ISO was around 1000 in the peony photo and I think it is a little grainy (it was late evening to not a ton of light). Tips for improving this?

Hi Ellie!

I love that you played with flowers!

They are such cooperative subjects! My critique with your flowers when it comes to the light is that our eyes are naturally drawn to the brightest part of the frame so I always try and have my main subject brightest and most illuminated so that the viewers eye will head straight to what I want my viewer to see. Since the foreground flower is in focus I'd say that is your main subject with the other flowers playing a supportive role here.

The backlight is so dreamy and perfect with the daintiness of the peony. I really don't mind the grain but yes if you want to reduce your ISO you'll need more light!

You found a great pocket of light falling on your husband!

I'm so glad you noticed the opportunity! You used the concepts of Inverse Square Law here...your light source is small and your husband is close to the light source so the light fall off is quick leaving much of the room darker. This is a great way to direct your viewer's eye towards your subject!

Thanks for sharing! You are doing great!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:31 PM

Thanks for sharing your critique @lisapierce !

I think everyone's opinion is valuable no matter where you are at in your photography journey!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by melindagold

A little morning light, thanks for your feed back.
I feel like my eyes have gone xray seeking light

Once you begin to see light the world is never the same!! I can't even watch a movie anyone without making comments on the lighting!

Your little subject is so sweet! A princess? My youngest daughter loves her princess dresses and most days refuses to wear anything else!

I love that you are playing with hard light!

It's tough light to work with and manage and you did a good job of of controlling your highlights and not blowing them (they might be a touch high in your second image). Typically our eyes are drawn to the brightest part in a frame so in your first image my eyes go right to the page in the book which I actually don't mind here because this is where your subject's gaze is going too. For me this image becomes about the book she is reading. I might like to see a bit more light in her sweet face though. Have you tried capturing this sweet moment in softer light?

When it comes to your second image I might have tried to angle her into the light a little more..perhaps set up a split light type of pattern here by pulling the chair out towards the light some. I like that her head is in the light but I also wish the whole side of her face was too.

I absolutely love the shadow that is being created by the window from the hard light! I love this location and I'd love to see you experiment more here with the light!

Thanks for sharing!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by lisapierce

I have terrible light in my house... like really terrible. Houses in Indonesia are built sharing three walls and the few windows in our house have a 6 foot awning to keep the sun (heat) out... so I never photograph in my house!

But, there is one window that has some afternoon light so I did some experimenting with angles and direction of light. I had my son stand near the window for a second before we started our daily afternoon skip-bo game. ha!

I didn't really know what category of light this falls in to? I love his expression but thoughts on the light? I feel like the color image leaves me thinking he has a big bruise on his cheek. There are all kinds of weird colors in that area. Thoughts on post-processing? I use LR and tried split toning (shadows) but it just couldn't get it worked out... so I moved on to black and white. Is that cheating!?! haha!

This is my attempt at split light... a little too dark, I think. This wouldn't be a keeper for me... But, since I was intending to work on directional light I kept it. I'll try again.

Another angle and direction of the same window light.

I'm here to learn, like all of us, so if anyone has any thoughts or critiques, I would love to hear them! Thanks!!

Hi Lisa!

I've heard that before about the light in Indonesia houses...but I think you did a really good job with using the light that you have. I don't think you have bad light here at all. It's moody and dramatic. I love moody and dramatic!

Regarding the awning it's actually not a bad thing because sometimes if the light source is too high, I get this outdoors sometimes, you can get hot spots on the forehead, cheek, nose so reducing some of that overhead light can help increase the directionality of the light you have.

You have side light in your first image with a small loop coming off his nose. If your handsome little subject was turned a touch more away from the light, towards the camera, the loop would be a little more noticeable. Also, I'm assuming he's fairly close to the light source so the shadows are deeper than if he were father away. In the colour version you are getting some colour casting from something in the room. What colour were you wearing? What colours are around him?

Good for you to play with split lighting! Watch the eyes! Wait for them to catch the light! It helps with dramatic light images.

Do you find you prefer brighter images with lots of light? Just curious...this might be more your style than dark and moody!

That's okay!

I love your last image!

There is a sense of mystery here with fantastic depth and the light really compliments the moment. I love that's he appears to be hiding his cards as this matches the light and moment. Great split light!

Wonderful share!

stacy916 · 06-02-16 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by GinaYeo

Hi Stacy! I love that you are playing with light and trying creative techniques like the starbursts you created!

My favourite from your set is the second! The light is warm and golden and the mood in the light matches your subject (who is adorable by the way I love her hair) and her popsicle eating! When it comes to exposure and backlight I tend to underexpose just at touch too and I know I mentioned that in the tip sheet for golden hour light! I might bump up exposure a touch in your second capture! I love that rim of light around her hair too! Gorgeous! Same thing with your third image...try bumping exposure some!

When it come to your fourth image the light is a touch harsh here. I might have had her sit outside of the beam of sun just to her left and back on the grass (viewer right). The light would bounce up off the cement and illuminate her creating nice even skin tones and large catchlights. Right now that strong sun forces her to squint or look down. You have the right idea here though with front light!

In your last image yes you have side light! I agree that the highlights appear blown or close to blown. Try adjusting your exposure. Do you have a pullback of that location by chance? It looks like a great location but I'm wondering if you play around a bit with her positioning what results you might get?! Watch the light as you have her move forward/backward to the right/left. I bet you can still achieve sidelight yet soften the look for a gorgeous portrait!

Wonderful work!

@GinaYeo Hi and thanks again for all of your insight Gina! I definitely agree that the second is my favorite too, it's the only one I really like. I might ask this in the Q&A forum if that is more appropriate, but do you just use your eye to determine under exposure where the histogram doesn't show clipped blacks or is there a more definitive method? In the front lit image your suggestion makes so much sense. For some reason I had it in my head that front light had to be right in your face, using the sidewalk as a reflector would still allow front light

. The last location is really just a small spot between the side of the house and a boring fence. I've actually never used that spot before but noticed the light yesterday. Think I'll try to play around there some more!

sugarysol · 06-02-16 04:02 PM

Hello!!

Yesterday I practiced a little bit with directions of light. Here I wanted to achieve loop light (I'm not very happy about her messy after school hair and "do not pose" posing but....

)

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And later we went to a mall near by, the sun was setting and I saw this unexpected pocket of last light. I thought split light setting here would be nice.

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What do you think, ladies?

stacy916 · 06-02-16 07:59 PM

Sol, I think she looks beautiful, love her natural hair! I believe that is pretty loop lighting. Love the moodiness in the second one, though I think I would prefer to see a bit of light on the shadow side of his face, but that's just my opinion, for what it's worth! Really beautiful work

stacy916 · 06-02-16 08:03 PM

I did another side lit photo that is a bit softer lighting than the previous one. It was taken by a north facing window with some gray clouds in the sky. Still too harsh? Thanks!

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oalferenko · 06-02-16 08:14 PM

Hi Gina

I am really enjoying all of your materials - so much to practice, thank you!!

I tried to capture a bright joyful jumping on the bed image of my 6 year old twin boys. I'd love your thoughts on how this image, or the shooting approach, could be improved. The side light is coming through an east side window in the morning, but it was an overcast day with not a ton of light in the room (hence my super grainy image!). I also tried straightening the image (auto or vertical lens correction) but it looked too funky with the corrections. It's difficult to shoot in this room because the windows are east or south facing (there is a window to the right of them) with the sun coming in directly into the room and leaving hard light on the bed on a sunny day.

Thank you very much!!

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GinaYeo · 06-02-16 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by colliewankenobi

Here are a few photos with interesting light that I've found in my home. The two black and white shots are in the same spot, but the position of the subject(s) are different so I think it makes the photos look different. The color photo is by a big north-facing window that has really lovely light in the late afternoon/early evening. Apologies if the quality of the photos is not the best; I'm at work and don't have access to my home computer.

Hi Colleen! You have wonderful transition of light across your little subject's face in your first image! There's nice depth and dimension here!

There is a bit of orange colour cast on her face from the light that is bouncing of the table cloth. A white table cloth would make all the difference for you!

I love your silhouette in your second image! I might have tried to centre her in the window.

Your last image is a great example of the variations you can get with backlight. The light falling over your little subject that is closet to the window is softer and a little dreamier than the light falling over your second subject and even your pup because she is closer to the light. Also, the rim light is accentuated on your second subject and pup because they are against a dark backdrop so the rim light shows up!

GinaYeo · 06-02-16 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by valmoore12

With the fist picture I was trying to get some soft side light

I was experimenting with backlight with the second one. The picture is technically over exposed but I really like it that way.. I am loving back lighting!!

On the third I was practicing with backlighting with my son.. I got this rim light around his head that I just love.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi Val!

Yes I see side light in your first image!

The light source seems to be coming from below your subject or is perhaps bouncing the bubbles. For the most part it's better to have light level or just above your subject to produce really attractive shadows!

I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying backlighting!

I love, love, love it too! I'm not seeing any real problematic overexposure in your image...a small blown area on her arm but if she were turned a bit more that spot wouldn't be blown. I love how that rim of light wraps around her. Positioning her in front of a tree or shrub would help filter the light some for you. You did great!

I love that wrap of light in your third image too! He's adorable! Such a cute smile! One thing with the white in front of him it'll bounce light back up into his face so good choice on using that natural reflector!

I think you could bump up exposure on his skin some and warm him up a touch!

I'm so glad you shared!

miércoles, 15 de junio de 2016

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