Reflected light is a soft non-direct light that bounces from one surface to another. Unlike direct light, it tends to take on the colour of the surface it has reflected off of. An example of how this works can be seen in the slot canyons in Arizona. When the sun is high in the sky, shafts of light stream through the small openings at the top of the canyons. That direct light … [Read more...] about Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Reflected Light
Natural Light
Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Frontlight
When most people start out in photography, someone usually tells them they should have the sun at their back. Generally speaking, I would call that bad advice. When the sun is behind you, hitting the front of your subject directly, it is called “frontlight”. Frontlight can be intense and unforgiving causing an overall dull look and lack of texture and depth. And if you take … [Read more...] about Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Frontlight
Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Sidelight
Determining what you want to say about your subject will help inform the type of light that will best portray it. If the main element that draws you to a subject is texture or shape, then “sidelight” may be the best option. Sidelight occurs when light hits your subject on one side casting a shadow on the other. It is often thought to be the most pleasing type of light for … [Read more...] about Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Sidelight
Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Backlight
When the light is directly in front of you, lighting your subject from behind, it is called “backlight”. This is my favourite type of light because I am drawn to the deep contrast between the highlights and shadows. Backlight can create dramatic silhouettes and can also catch particles in the air creating beautiful rays of light. If your subject is translucent, like flowers, … [Read more...] about Natural Light in Landscape Photography: Backlight
8 Types of Natural Light That Will Add Drama to Your Photographs
Light is the primary ingredient in photography. While most photographers know that logically, they still go on a photo shoot thinking of what subject they want to shoot rather than the conditions under which they will be shooting. This is why photographers often turn away from a scene because the light isn’t right. This is the first in a series of articles about natural … [Read more...] about 8 Types of Natural Light That Will Add Drama to Your Photographs