Considering the Aspects of Light: part 2 - Harsh and Soft
May 22, 2018 11:02:51 #
Ceapabhal on the Isle of Harris viewed across the saltings.
I softened the picture to bring about an ethereal feel and to give the islets the impression of floating above the water.
I softened the picture to bring about an ethereal feel and to give the islets the impression of floating above the water.
May 22, 2018 11:11:40 #
Steve DeMott
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)
Linda, This is a great series. I always enjoy your photos and comments and learn so much. All these images were shot in the backyard.
Here's a couple from this morning that I think fits the light theme. Using the sun as the main light, I thought it interesting that the clouds created a type of fill light producing a high and low key areas.
Translucence. I was looking to how the evening sun was creating shadows through the leaves.
Clouds. A cloud came over and blocked 1/2 of the scene. Had about a minute to decide how to shot this.
Wrap. The light kind wraps around the left Iris plant. You gotta love clouds in the midwest.
Side Light. Early morning sun. How a direct light can create the main Highlight area, the Core area (Going from light to dark), the Shadow area and finally the Cast Shadow area.
Here's a couple from this morning that I think fits the light theme. Using the sun as the main light, I thought it interesting that the clouds created a type of fill light producing a high and low key areas.
Translucence. I was looking to how the evening sun was creating shadows through the leaves.
Clouds. A cloud came over and blocked 1/2 of the scene. Had about a minute to decide how to shot this.
Wrap. The light kind wraps around the left Iris plant. You gotta love clouds in the midwest.
Side Light. Early morning sun. How a direct light can create the main Highlight area, the Core area (Going from light to dark), the Shadow area and finally the Cast Shadow area.
May 22, 2018 11:15:53 #
Graham Smith wrote:
Ceapabhal on the Isle of Harris viewed across the saltings.
I softened the picture to bring about an ethereal feel and to give the islets the impression of floating above the water.
I softened the picture to bring about an ethereal feel and to give the islets the impression of floating above the water.
Graham,
Your softening of the softly lit scene was something I likely would not have considered...and would have missed out on your final, lovely effect !
Thanks for this posting...as always...each a valued lesson.
Dave
May 22, 2018 11:24:16 #
Uuglypher wrote:
Graham,
Your softening of the softly lit scene was something I likely would not have considered...and would have missed out on your final, lovely effect !
Thanks for this posting...as always...each a valued lesson.
Dave
Your softening of the softly lit scene was something I likely would not have considered...and would have missed out on your final, lovely effect !
Thanks for this posting...as always...each a valued lesson.
Dave
Thank you Dave, the weather conditions were not ideal with rain in the air leading to a very flat picture.
May 22, 2018 11:40:01 #
Moods of Snow....
...can vary with character of softness versus hardness of lighting.
Moods of Snow:
-readily differentiated with hard versus soft light:
#1 The soft light of heavy overcast seems compatible with the effect of soft drifting under the effect of a persistent, gentle wind on soft snow, while ...
#2 hard light seems appropriate to emphasize the energetic sculpting effect of the previous night’s vicious blizzard, and
as illustrated in #3, soft light does not necessarily mitigate harsh visual impact.
Dave
...can vary with character of softness versus hardness of lighting.
Moods of Snow:
-readily differentiated with hard versus soft light:
#1 The soft light of heavy overcast seems compatible with the effect of soft drifting under the effect of a persistent, gentle wind on soft snow, while ...
#2 hard light seems appropriate to emphasize the energetic sculpting effect of the previous night’s vicious blizzard, and
as illustrated in #3, soft light does not necessarily mitigate harsh visual impact.
Dave
May 22, 2018 12:27:04 #
It seems this new topic is off to a great start. I'm really enjoying all the examples and explanations!
I'm attaching a shot that I took just a few days ago. Since our topic is "Harsh and Soft" my first thought was to figure out which was represented in this photo. Since it was an overcast day and there were no strong shadows it must be soft, diffused light even though it was very bright. It isn't the sort of shot I normally take. I like white birds with nice natural green backgrounds but this is what I was given. I further lightened the shot in post and converted to B&W. Does this qualify as high key? Can high key start with either type of light?
My first choice for wildlife photography is normally early morning directional light but that isn't always available when I get to where the critters are. Second choice is open shade, generally as a result of light cloud cover.
I'm attaching a shot that I took just a few days ago. Since our topic is "Harsh and Soft" my first thought was to figure out which was represented in this photo. Since it was an overcast day and there were no strong shadows it must be soft, diffused light even though it was very bright. It isn't the sort of shot I normally take. I like white birds with nice natural green backgrounds but this is what I was given. I further lightened the shot in post and converted to B&W. Does this qualify as high key? Can high key start with either type of light?
My first choice for wildlife photography is normally early morning directional light but that isn't always available when I get to where the critters are. Second choice is open shade, generally as a result of light cloud cover.
May 22, 2018 12:47:33 #
Many thanks to the early contributors for getting us off to such a fantastic start! I have a few questions/comments 
Uuglypher - your discussion points regarding the flamingo and lion are terrific. Do you have a personal recommendation (book, article, video) regarding chiaroscuro for beginners?
whwhiden and Uuglypher's postings of same subject under different light: very instructive!
artbob - a challenging, interesting image. Thank you!
camerapapi - thank you for your time and excellent overview. I appreciate your variety of subjects and your emphasis on the creative aspects being a "photographer's choice."
Graham Smith - you're tempting us to organize a discussion/share topic on the role of editing in achieving our vision. Count me in
steve DeMott - capturing harsh, soft and in between...all with one source, the sun. Your mention of short time frame with clouds of #2 prompts me to ask what is your go-to choice for shooting mode when light conditions are rapidly changing?
cwilson - You've posed an excellent question about what kind of outdoor light to start with to capture a high key image. One article I read about high key suggested that, although you can adjust in pp, it's best to find a non-distracting background as your foundation. Potentially, you could be out in harsh light but find a subject posed against a light-colored sky or other scenario where there are fewer shadows to deal with (open shade). Anyone with more experience who is reading this, please share!
Much is written about how to accomplish high key lighting in a studio setting, but I found a "natural light" article here
Possibly there could be a quibble as to whether your result is light enough ("majority of tones in the highlight area"), but either way, I'd say you achieved great success with this photo; it is stunning!
Uuglypher - your discussion points regarding the flamingo and lion are terrific. Do you have a personal recommendation (book, article, video) regarding chiaroscuro for beginners?
whwhiden and Uuglypher's postings of same subject under different light: very instructive!
artbob - a challenging, interesting image. Thank you!
camerapapi - thank you for your time and excellent overview. I appreciate your variety of subjects and your emphasis on the creative aspects being a "photographer's choice."
Graham Smith - you're tempting us to organize a discussion/share topic on the role of editing in achieving our vision. Count me in
steve DeMott - capturing harsh, soft and in between...all with one source, the sun. Your mention of short time frame with clouds of #2 prompts me to ask what is your go-to choice for shooting mode when light conditions are rapidly changing?
cwilson - You've posed an excellent question about what kind of outdoor light to start with to capture a high key image. One article I read about high key suggested that, although you can adjust in pp, it's best to find a non-distracting background as your foundation. Potentially, you could be out in harsh light but find a subject posed against a light-colored sky or other scenario where there are fewer shadows to deal with (open shade). Anyone with more experience who is reading this, please share!
Much is written about how to accomplish high key lighting in a studio setting, but I found a "natural light" article here
Possibly there could be a quibble as to whether your result is light enough ("majority of tones in the highlight area"), but either way, I'd say you achieved great success with this photo; it is stunning!
May 22, 2018 13:10:53 #
I felt the direct sun casting hard shadows was appropriate for this photo of fruit at the farmer's market. Bright colors with sharply outlined forms = fresh and juicy, yes?
May 22, 2018 13:14:15 #
One of the interesting things about coasts is the ever-changing moods. The weather is obviously a factor, but as my two shots show, lighting on its own can have a direct influence on mood.
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May 22, 2018 13:15:12 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
It seems this new topic is off to a great start. ... (show quote)
xxxxxx
Carol,
Way to go!
Super example of tonal management with soft light under the obvious constraints of reduced dynamic range with a white subject!
Well done!
Dave
May 22, 2018 13:28:44 #
May 22, 2018 13:36:28 #
Steve DeMott
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri (Oakville area)
Linda From Maine wrote:
....Your mention of short time frame with clouds of #2 prompts me to ask what is your go-to choice for shooting mode when light conditions are rapidly changing?
I was in manual and ready to shot when the clouds appeared. My options were to expose for the light or dark side. Since I didn't want to be a Jedi I choose the dark side and added a 1/3 stop lighter. I believe I made the right choice.
May 22, 2018 13:40:25 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Contrasting moods: br br 1. Shot through mist ris... (show quote)
Shooting towards the sun in summer at mid-day, I set my exposure to emphasize the contrasts between the tall, solid tree trunks and their delicate green leaves. I chose to keep the green and blue circles of lens flare (I think I even enhanced them, as I also did the sun rays) because their position seemed a whimsical extension of the sun's reach into the forest. With this bright and colorful photo, I feel energetic and happy!Just what I needed Linda. Adding a few as your insight would be so helpful. Staying here in mtns. for 2 weeks and have been trying to capture what I see. Involves heavy contrast, shadows, misty rain and fog and brilliant shaft of setting sun. Trouble with blowouts in water.
May 22, 2018 13:46:11 #
May 22, 2018 13:49:52 #
Sometimes it's the extremes that make a shot interesting, even when there's not a lot to see.
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