KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
Some final pro tips and advice for using the light to enhance your compositions and elevate your imagery
BACKLIGHT FOR DRAMA
LIGHT COMING FROM IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA IS CALLED BACKLIGHTING. USE A LENS HOOD AND MAYBE YOUR HAND TO REDUCE LENS FLARE.
SIDELIGHT FOR DIMENSIONALITY
LIGHT STRIKING YOUR SUBJECT FROM THE SIDES IS CALLED SIDELIGHTING AND IT PRODUCES THE THREE-DIMENSIONALITY IN OUR PHOTOGRAPHS.
POST-PRODUCTION RULES
DON’T FORGET TO EDIT YOUR FILES – EVEN A TINY TWEAK OF CONTRAST IN POST MAY HELP TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE LIGHT IN YOUR COMPOSITIONS.
COLOUR FOR CONTRAST
LOOK FOR THE DIFFERENT COLOURS OF SUNLIGHT, ESPECIALLY AT THE ENDS OF THE DAY. SUNLIT AREAS ARE WARM AND RED, WHILE AREAS IN SHADOW ARE COOL AND BLUE.
LOOK BEHIND YOU!
WHEN YOU ARE SHOOTING A SUNRISE OR SUNSET, TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO LOOK BEHIND YOU. OFTEN FAR BETTER SHOTS ARE TO THE SIDE OR BEHIND YOU!
USE RIM LIGHT
SUBJECTS WITH HAIR OR SOFT EDGES CAN CATCH A RIM OF LIGHT, OUTLINING THEM WHEN BACKLIT. IT’S A PRETTY COOL EFFECT, SO USE CONTRAST TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
CREATE INTEREST
BORING LIGHT CAN RUIN AN INTERESTING SUBJECT, BUT GREAT LIGHT CAN ENHANCE A MUNDANE SUBJECT. IF YOU WANT INTERESTING COMPOSITIONS, ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE LIGHT.
CROP FOR EFFECT
JUST BECAUSE WE USE A CAMERA WITH A 2:3 OR 3:4 RATIO FRAME, DOESN’T MEAN WE ARE STUCK WITH IT. SEE IF CROPPING TO A DIFFERENT FRAME CAN ENHANCE THE LIGHT.
LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT
WHETHER A PERSON OR A LANDSCAPE, NOTICE HOW THE LIGHT FALLS ON THE SUBJECT AND WHERE THE SHADOWS LIE. THIS IS KEY TO A STRONG COMPOSITION.
MAKE USE OF THE WEATHER
PASSING STORMS ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURAL LIGHT SHOWS. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES BUT PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE THEIR OWN LUCK BY BEING OUT THERE.