Project 52, Week 30, Light

So far this month we've used light to create reflections, silhouettes, and shadows.  This week we create photographs of light, or light sources.

This is a photograph of waiting room in Union Station, Chicago, Illinois, taken in 1943 by Jack Delano.  The light rays are the main subject, but also act as frames for the 2 people in front.

Things to consider:

• Light can add an uplifting mood to a photo.
• Rays of light can be leading lines
• Light can be used as frames.
• Light can be the main subject.
• Use long exposure times to create photographs of "light trails" or for "light painting"

Suggested Readings and Photographic Examples:

1. Natural Light in Photography at Cambridge in Colour
2. Rays of Light - 30 Magical Photographs at WDCore Editorial
3. Photograph the Light not the Land by Darrin Rouse at Digital Photography School; photographic examples
4. 5 Photo Composition Hints. The Fifth Element- Light at ShotAddict
5. Taking Photos in Fog, Mist, and Haze at Cambridge in Colour; illustrated article (you may need to study some of these photos closely to see that they are pictures of light)
6. Leading Lines of Light at Lori Kolbenschlag Photography
7. Creating Your Own Rays of Sunlight (in Photoshop) at Smash&Peas'
8. Qualities of Light at Garry Black Photography

More specific topics:

1. How to Shoot Light Trails by Darrin Rouse at Digital Photography School; illustrated article
2. Photographing Car Light Trails at Photography Mad; illustrated article
3. How to Photograph Candles at Photography Mad; illustrated article
4. Steel Wool Photography Tutorial by Evan Sharboneau at PhotoExtremist ; an 8 minute YouTube video
5. How to Photograph Fireworks at NYIP; illustrated article
6. How to Photograph Christmas Lights at Strobist; illustrated article
7. How to Photograph Lightning at Weatherscapes
8. Stalking the Wild Firefly [lightning bug] at The Iowa Source; interview by Christine Schrum with Radim Schreiber
9. How to Photograph the Northern Lights with a Digital Camera by Patrick J Endres at Alaska Photography Blog; not a short article but interesting with lovely photos, tables, and graphs.
10. Light Painting Photography at Light Painting Photography; many different articles - some stuff looks "too dangerous to try at home"