SassaFrass Photo: Lets Talk LIGHT {Lighting Tips}

Okay, when it comes to Photography your job focuses a LOT on LIGHT!!!!! Today we are going to talk about using old Mr. Sun to your advantage :) So anyone with even a point or shoot can take some tips away from this!!! Keep in mind that I am entirely self taught, so if it doesn't make sense, I am sorry :) Next time I will touch on the TRIANGLE of light that is ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed (if you don't understand those words back away from the camera and run and find your manual). There are SO MANY keys that go into getting a good photograph, but today we'll start with good old Natural lights and its effects on your images. Are you ready? Good, lets get started.

Mr. Sun is my friend! I don't like using a flash either indoor or out, so I depend on that big ball of gas burning up above me :) If you are an early bird the first light before the sun comes over the horizon (or mountains here in Utah) is gorgeous. You can't really go wrong with natural diffused light. As the sun comes up and gets high you should usually run indoors and scream, well unless you have ample amounts of open shade. Usually when the sun is up at 12 noon though shade is a rare comodity to come by. Since I brought it up let us talk shade for one moment :) Shade is a beautiful thing to a photographer! Now, I know some of you will say, "I've shot in shade before and my client is dark." Well, which way did you have them face? In shade you want your client to face toward the LIGHT SOURCE. Does that make sense? So if you are under a big tree, don't have them face toward the trunk, turn them around and face them toward the LIGHT! YAY, now you have some yummy light :). You can also get yourself (camera and lens) in some shade then you don't have to use fill flash. Some days you get OVERCAST, you should be shouting HOORAY!!! Naturally diffused light at anytime of the day, seriously is something to get excited about! Although overcast light can leave your images a tad cooler toned, but you can warm that up later in photoshop. Okay, let's talk the EVENING mmmmm........ That is when I choose to shoot! I typically schedule a shoot 2 to 3 hours before the sun sets (depending on the type of shoot). In the evening you can shoot as you would with open shade (you just have a much wider space to do it in, or you can choose to get some BACKLIGHT! Yes, you want beautiful sun flare or rays of light? Well one key to this is a higher fstop (but we aren't talking about that today). Really backlight is more complicated and you need to adjust away in your camera to get it looking good and your client properly exposed. One tip anyone can use though is to get you and your lens in the shade so that the sun doesn't completely flood your lens and blow out the image. Does any of that make sense. It's harder to put into words then you'd think ;) Go out a play around in all types of light (don't use a client to practice on!) I use my kids when I want to just go play and try new things. Here are a few images in different lighting situations :)
OVERCAST