It’s all about the light
Photography is about light and this book aims to demonstrate how light can be used in different ways to add to the creativity of an image.
Whether we are using natural light or in a studio, the same principles stand.
First we have to consider the subject and the interplay of light on to it. As photographers we then have the choice to move around our subject to get the light into the best position, or if working in a studio how to set the lights to best effect. This may mean moving studio lights around the subject, using different diffusers and intensity of light.
To best capture the lighting effect we also need to consider our camera settings.
The cover image is a shot of a demonstration of lighting used in night clubs etc. These were being controlled by a professional for demonstration purposes. However they were constantly moving so the pressure on the photographer was to have accurate camera settings and to shoot rapidly to capture the best effects.
A simple uplighter stood in the corner of the room and turned on produced some interesting lighting effects on the wall.
From the one shot of the uplighter one can take elements of the image and by cropping, flipping and careful placing can produce an arresting panel.
The images on these two pages were studio work where lighting was key to the creativity.
For the image above the side lighting is very obviously off to her right but not quite at 90degrees as we needed to have the light catch her left hand. There was also some focussed rim lighting set to glance off the outer edge of the left arm so as to separate it from the background.
Image title: The Pianist
Similar lighting was used for this shot but the side lighting has been bought a little further towards the front so as to throw light through the lace and clearly highlight the breast. The most difficult thing was to get the hard shadow to cut through the nipple. Again rim lighting was used to separate the model and fabric from the background.
Image title: Allure
The following three images were taken using natural light in a disused, empty church at St Catherines Hill, Abbotsbury, Dorset.
Like all Anglican churches it stands east/west but in summer time light falls through the west facing chapel window towards the latter part of the afternoon. It moves surprisingly steadily as can be seen through this succession of shots.
The model is a ballet dancer so could hold poses reasonably still for the time needed to get sharp impressions. However, whilst she could see the shadow in front of her, to which she would align the pose, it relies on commands from the photographer to achieve shadow positioning on her back.
Image title: Acolyte
Title - Alignment
Title - Playing with Shadows
