See the light

Varying degrees of light create different effects on images, writes Salliza Salleh

THE orchestral sounds of cicadas can be heard at Survival Island next to Seri Mahawangsa Boathouse at Pedu Lake in Padang Terap, Kedah. The boathouse is the only accommodation here.

It’s my fourth visit and I never feel bored here. There are many activities — camping, birding, trekking, kayaking, boat riding, swimming or just lazying around, curling up in the hammock.

For those who are into photography, they can experiment with the abundance of ambient light here.

Ambient light is any form of light that we don’t add to our image. It’s either natural (from the sun or moon) or artificial (i.e street light, lantern).

For photographers, ambient light is the best and easiest source of light. It also allows us to travel with less photography equipment.

A different degree of light can create different effects on images. The degree of light during blue hours, golden hours or harsh mid-day creates opportunities to experiment with lighting.

Here are some tips on how to utilise ambient light. The photographs were taken at Lake Pedu

1. HarsH ligHt:

The weather is hot and dry during this time of the month. From 10am to 5pm, the light is harsh.

I used a circular polarised filter on my lens to capture the landscape and clouds.

Since it was too hot to roam outside, I decided to capture the Seri Mahawangsa Boathouse through the tree branches on Survival Island.

For this photo, the shadow of the branches acted as light modifier to the harsh 3pm light. Post-processing adjustments created a serene picture of the boathouse.

2. BackligHt:

In this photo, the two men practising the art of self-defence in the middle of the lake creates drama against the late afternoon golden light.

Make sure your camera is facing the sun and the subjects are positioned with their backs to the sun to create a dramatic backlit image.

My camera setting is set at shutter mode 1/800, f/7.1 and ISO 400.

3. sideligHt:

Direct sunlight creeps in between the tree branches around 8am, which gives a good chance to capture gorgeous sun rays. There are a few good spots here.

My friends and I set up a campsite on Survival Island and filled the air with smoke to enhance the lines of the sidelight.

My camera setting was at f/7.1, 1/250, ISO 200.

4. creative ligHt:

Incorporate the sunburst in your image.

In this photo taken at the entrance of Survival Island in Tasik Pedu, around 9.45am, Amir greeted me with Jalak, the rooster on his back.

The sunburst added a creative touch to this image. I positioned myself such that the sun was only partially visible. Camera setting was at f/16, 1/25, ISO 800.

5. portrait ligHt:

I set up my camera at f/4.0, 1/50, ISO 500 and captured Zainal admiring his rooster, Jalak.

This photo was taken at 12.40pm. I used a reflector to bounce light from the back onto his face.