Thursday, November 3, 2011

Lighting

I am getting back to basics with my photography.  The number one basic to me is lighting.  I would rather not take pictures in bright sunlight.  It is way too harsh.  Here I did take the photo in bright sunlight.  But, I was trying to get the light to diffuse through this ruby colored vase. I didn't get it like I envisioned but, I still liked the photo.
This is how I usually set a photo shoot up.  In a south facing window on a cloudy day.  This is the most flattering light.  

Here I tempted the light with white and a mirror.  They both reflect light a lot and can be a challenge to photograph.  

The most striking natural light will be at sunrise or sunset.  I am always caring for children at sunrise but at sunset I can manage to get my camera out.

I have had comments wondering if I am a photographer.  My father took wedding photography freelance and I was in the darkroom some growing up so, I guess it was osmosis.  I haven't had any classes on photography.

 I have found that even in areas of my house that are hard to photograph, that if I work with the natural light I have I can still get a pretty decent photo.  

Another way to use natural light is to get back lighting.  I have taken this picture with the sun shining on the back of these leaves to make the color even brighter.  When you use this light you will have to get the camera's focus point to focus on the yellow color of the leaves.  This is going to give you the right settings to get the color you want with the lighting you love without the photo turning out too dark by being focused on something other than that great fall color.

That is my only trick with lighting.  I never use a flash and I use natural light as much as I possibly can.  Someday I will experiment more with lighting and all the photography tricks that I have seen used in studio lighting.  Right now I haven't got time so, the sure thing is natural light. 
I will try to get more post on this blog about how I photograph my pictures.  It is always a work in progress. 
Sherry

6 comments:

  1. I appreciate these tips on lighting. I'm new to photography (just purchased a Nikon D3000 after struggling with a Canon PowerShot) and blogging so I can use all the help I can get. I hope you'll be posting more pointers in the future. I look forward to any future tips you might post.

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  2. Hi Sherry
    You do beautiful work and I agree about light being so important.
    I also love photography. Most of the photos I use on my blogs are mine -- and my dad was also a wedding photographer - but back in the 50's!
    PS
    Thanks for the comment about my choir on my guest post at 5 minutes just for me
    Holly:)

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  3. Hi Sherry,
    I love your photos, your like me I love the golden hours of photography. Thank you for the tips and some day I'll have a magnificent camera to take great quality photos for now I'll have to wing it. Merry Christmas

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  4. Hi Sherry,

    Thanks for visiting Sweet Little Bluebird and the nice comment!

    Your photography is beautiful - you have a great eye! I just love it! I sold my old film Nikon N90S last summer and have been taking all my photos for my blog with my cell phone and a small pocket camera. After seeing your photos, I have camera envy! Think I'll start looking into getting a new one...

    I'm a new follower - looking forward following you in 2012!

    Best wishes ~ Mary

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  5. Thank you for your support - let us me know if you want to submit photos for the magazine!
    Fondly,
    Angela
    the Parisienne Farmgirl’s Giveaway Fantastique
    &
    Parisienne Farmgirl Magazine

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  6. Beautifulphotos! Great work! Wish you could teach me!

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