Project 12, Month 7, Light

This month we'll be using available light in our compositions.  We'll compose photographs with shadows, reflections, silhouettes, sunsets, sunrises, moonlight, and chiaroscuro or contre-jour. We won't consider flashes, strobes, studio lighting etc, though they can be used if you wish.

Things to consider:

• The stronger the light, the deeper the shadows.
• Shadows and light rays can be used as leading lines or frames.
• Shadows and light can add depth and dimension to scenes.
• Shadows and silhouettes can add mystery to a photo.
• Black and white photos depend on the contrast of light and dark.
• Don't look directly at the sun -  not with the naked eye and not through the camera lens
• The "Golden Hour" (aka Magic Hour) is the first and last hour of the sunrise and sunset.  (For more precise times, see Roger Moffatt's Golden Hour Calculator ).  Some photographers swear this is the only time to take photographs.  They're wrong.
• The "Blue Hour" is the time just before sunrise and just after sunset when the sky is deep blue (not sky blue).
• Chiaroscuro means light/dark and refers to the use of strong contrast between light and dark areas in composition.
• Rays of Light can be the focus of your composition as seen in these 30 stunning photographs by WDCore Editorial

Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

General:

1. Dealing with Light and Composition in Landscape Photography by Yassine Hakimi at photopoly; short article with different compositions - reflections, silhouettes, etc.
2. Snap Happpy: Tips for Perfect Pictures from The West Australian; mostly photographs - although not specifically an article on using light as a compositional element, the photographs demonstrated shadows, silhouettes, reflections, contrast, and sunsets.
3. Fundamentals of Photography, Composition & Light by Matt Eddy from Oil-Rig Productions; a pdf file - see pages 6 and 7 - In the Balance photo on page 6, notice how the shadows balance the lighter background. In the next slide notice how the dark sky balances the light colored water.
4. Ansel Adams Photography from National Park Service records; Ansel Adams was a master in using light to compose photographs. These photographs are well worth studying for inspiration
5. The Complete Beginners Guide to Natural Light by Andrew Gibson at phototuts+
6. Using Light and Dark - Chiaroscuro by Bill Wright at Mountain High Landscape Photography Workshops; a pdf document

Shadows, Silhouettes, and Reflections:

1. Showcase of Beautiful Shadow Photography by David Brosche at Smashing Magazine; just pictures of shadows and silhouettes
2. Using Shadows to Enhance Your Compositions by Elizabeth Anderson at photoble; short article with photos
3. Judicious Use of Shadows in Creative Composition at Cyber College; lots of picture
4. Underwater Photography Silhouettes by Scott Gietler at Underwater Photography Guide
5. How to Photograph Silhouettes in 8 Easy Steps by Darrin Rouse at Digital Photography School; short article with 3 examples.
6. 50 High Quality Examples of Silhouette Photography by Prakesh Godke at noupe; just photos.
7. Create and Enhance Your Images with Reflections at kirpi.it
8. Photo: Idea: Reflection, Shadow, & Composition; by Hansol Kim at Pinterest; just photos for reflections, shadows, and silhouettes.
9. 44 Impressive Examples of Reflection Photography by Bhanu Ahluwalia at noupe
10. 30 Shadow Photographs at Digital Picture Zone

Golden Hour/Blue Hour:

1. Golden Hour Photography at dpreview; short article with lots of pictures.
2. Golden Hour by Mark Wallace at SnapFactory; 11.5 minute video
3. Golden Hour (Photography)) at Wikipedia
4. BlueHoursite.com - a whole web site dedicated to the "blue hour".
5. How to Photograph the Blue Hours with Amazing Results at Light Stalking; short article with pictures

Sunrise/Sunset:

1. Perfect Sunset Composition-How I Did It by Darrin Rouse at Digital Photography School; a somewhat techical article on finding perfect times for sunset locations
2. How to Take Great Photographs of Sunsets at New York Institute of Photography; fairly lengthy article on sunset photography
3. How to shoot heavenly sunrises and sunsets anywhere by Jeff Wignall at Adorma.com; short article with pictures
4. 7 Steps to Perfect Sunset & Sunrise Photos at Yank's Photo School; short article with pictures
5. Photographing the Sunrise by Suzanne Williams at Steve's Digicam

Moon (lunar photography):

1. Four Basic Tips for Photographing the Moon/ by Laura Charon at Photodoto; short article with photos
2. Moon Photography Made Simple by Peter West Carey at Digital Photography School; short article with photos
3. Keith's Moon Photography at ; includes charts and tables, for film cameras as well as digital