Again, Looking For Light

Again, Looking For Light

by William Lulow

I write about this often as it remains a major part of what we do as photographers. A scene may grab our attention because of the lighting or, we may set up a lighting in the studio with artificial light that does the same thing. However we see it, it’s the light that makes the photograph. Here are a couple of examples taken right out my condo window on vacation:

I like both of these because the light coming through the morning haze is what attracts the viewer’s attention. Sometimes the stark monochrome image works best, but I also like the warm glow of the color image as well.

Whatever I shoot and wherever I look, I’m always aware of the lighting.

This image was made with my iPhone 13. I saw the SILHOUETTE LIGHTING with the background and water droplets lit by the sun and thought it was an arresting image.

This image was made with the knowledge that when a series of clouds forms above the actual horizon, it allows the sun’s rays to hit them once the earth turns enough to let the reflection hit them and create some amazing colors.

Another example of looking for light is choosing the right time of day. Here, images of a sunrise early in the morning:

Sunrises are usually more pinkish in light quality than sunsets, which tend to have more reds in them. As the sun rises, the colors begin to turn more orange.

Another way to look for light is in reflections in water scenes:

I have also said, repeatedly, that once you begin to study the various classical studio lighting setups, you will never again look at a scene or a photograph without noticing the lighting. As a matter of fact, studying lighting makes one much more aware of the emotional responses it provides the viewer. Here’s a BACKLIGHT example:

Here’s a SIDELIGHT example:

The study of artificial lighting will greatly improve your photographic efforts even if you don’t use any studio lighting equipment at all.