4.23.10-Contrast and Lighting

One way I've improved my photography lately is by furthering my understanding of contrast and lighting. Photography in its simplest form can be defined as recording light. One way to make your pictures pop is by creating contrast with that light.

My understanding of the principles of light come mostly from Ansel Adams, who taught in one of his books about the Zone System. Basically, our cameras are only capable of recording light within a fixed range. If the light is too bright, the whole picture will be white. If there isn't enough, then the picture turns out black.

When preparing to take a photograph, we use the camera to let us know how much light is available, and how long we need to keep the shutter open in order to record enough light to fall between those two ranges (too much light, vs. too little). When we do that, we get an image.

The next time you consider taking a picture, take a look through the lens, and think "What kind of lighting do I have?" Then, instead of taking a picture, move to another angle, and reconsider. Lately I have noticed that shooting into the sun (which requires some good metering skills), and composing my image so that there is both direct light and shadows, provides a contrast that allows you to accentuate your subject beautifully.