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Lighting; don't settle for what's already there.
Oct 17, 2014 12:41:13 #
I just want to make a suggestion for noobs.
When you are taking pictures, and you are about the hit the shutter, think about the light and ask yourself if it's what you want or if it needs to be improved.
I've read (several times recently) about how someone was "forced to" take the images in the crappy light or "couldn't change anything" about the situation before hitting the shutter and now wants to "fix it in post"
I'm going to suggest that you don't settle for what nature has for you...or for what your indoor environment hands you; change it..modify it...direct it...do something other than just take it.
Start to modify your thinking when it comes to lighting.
If you are in dappled lighting outdoors...do something about it...put up a sheet and diffuse the light, block the light...move, turn...do SOMETHING.
If you are inside and the overhead lights are those "in ceiling" lights that are directional; and your subject will have raccoon eyes...then either move them...have them change their head direction, use a reflector...WHATEVER you have to do but...
Don't settle.
Give this some thought the next time you start to pull the trigger....ask yourself "is the light like I really want it or am I settling?
There is a pretty good book on Amazon called "Shooting in Sh%*TTY light" by Lindsay Adler that is worth getting.
It outlines the 10 crappy lighting situations and how to modify them into something desirable.
Just a suggestion.
When you are taking pictures, and you are about the hit the shutter, think about the light and ask yourself if it's what you want or if it needs to be improved.
I've read (several times recently) about how someone was "forced to" take the images in the crappy light or "couldn't change anything" about the situation before hitting the shutter and now wants to "fix it in post"
I'm going to suggest that you don't settle for what nature has for you...or for what your indoor environment hands you; change it..modify it...direct it...do something other than just take it.
Start to modify your thinking when it comes to lighting.
If you are in dappled lighting outdoors...do something about it...put up a sheet and diffuse the light, block the light...move, turn...do SOMETHING.
If you are inside and the overhead lights are those "in ceiling" lights that are directional; and your subject will have raccoon eyes...then either move them...have them change their head direction, use a reflector...WHATEVER you have to do but...
Don't settle.
Give this some thought the next time you start to pull the trigger....ask yourself "is the light like I really want it or am I settling?
There is a pretty good book on Amazon called "Shooting in Sh%*TTY light" by Lindsay Adler that is worth getting.
It outlines the 10 crappy lighting situations and how to modify them into something desirable.
Just a suggestion.
Oct 17, 2014 13:06:25 #
Oct 17, 2014 13:15:40 #
Leitz
Loc: Solms
rpavich wrote:
I just want to make a suggestion for noobs. br br... (show quote)
Can you recommend a good deer whisperer to get that stag to stand still while I set up my reflectors?
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Oct 18, 2014 07:06:42 #
I am of a different philosophy: get a camera with decent dynamic range and make the best of what nature gives you. I have extensive knowledge of lighting as a professional video cameraman who also studied theatre lighting. But except for portraits I never light for stills. My Nikon has 14+ EV of DR, and I am very experienced with HDR. I have made excellent pictures in situations with 17 EV range, not using or changing light.
Oct 18, 2014 09:01:00 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
kymarto wrote:
I am of a different philosophy: get a camera with decent dynamic range and make the best of what nature gives you. I have extensive knowledge of lighting as a professional video cameraman who also studied theatre lighting. But except for portraits I never light for stills. My Nikon has 14+ EV of DR, and I am very experienced with HDR. I have made excellent pictures in situations with 17 EV range, not using or changing light.
Agreed. For nature closeups, I carry a reflector in my bag, which is a piece of cardboard about 8 inches square, painted semi-gloss white on one side for filling in shadows, tin foil taped to the reverse is to add side-light to bring out texture. It gets very little use, as I find natural light to be more natural.
Oct 18, 2014 09:27:59 #
It's amazing what you can do with 14 EV of dynamic range, easily extended to 18-20 with judicious use of HDR. But to be honest, after upgrading to a Nikon D800 from a D300, I'm pretty much doing HDR for the tonemapping effects or in extreme situations. You can pull an amazing amount of detail out of the shadows after exposing for highlights, something not really possible with cameras with 11-12 EV of DR.
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