The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly β¨
Ever looked at a stunning photo and wondered what makes it so special? π€ Chances are, it's all about the light. π‘ Light is the very essence of photography; without it, there's no picture! πΈ In fact, the word photography itself literally means "drawing or writing with light." βοΈ But it's not just about having light; it's about understanding and using it. π¨ Today, weβre diving deep into the art of light, showing you how to turn harsh, ugly light into something soft and beautiful, π and how to spot "heavenly" light to make your photos truly sing. πΆ Weβll uncover how light affects your images and the simple, practical techniques to master it, transforming your everyday shots into captivating works. π€©
Here is the answery bit π
Light is the single most important element in photography. π It determines the mood, the texture, the colours, and the overall feel of your image. β¨ Itβs a tool you can control or work with. π οΈ Learning to see and understand light qualityβfrom harsh, direct sunlight βοΈ to soft, diffused shade βοΈβis crucial. Mastering light directionβwhether it's hitting your subject from the front, side, or back β‘οΈβ¬ οΈβ¬οΈβhelps you create shape and depth. πΌοΈ By understanding light, you transform everyday scenes into extraordinary photographs. π€© Itβs all about working with what you've got! π₯³
You can listen to the episode here
Hello and welcome to episode 216 of the Photography Explained Podcast, "The Art of Light: From Harsh to Heavenly." π
A very good morning, good afternoon, or good evening to you, wherever you are in the world. π I'm your host, Rick, and in each episode, I try to explain one photographic thing to you in plain English in less than 27 minutes (ish), without the irrelevant details. β±οΈ Yes, really. π
I'm a professionally qualified photographer based in England π¬π§ with a lifetime of photographic experience, which I share with you in my splendid podcast. ποΈ
Today, we're mastering light β photography's most essential ingredient. π We'll explore simple, practical lighting tips for using it effectively. β¨ This isn't a complex physics lecture; π¬ it's about practical ways to get the best results from your camera. πΈ If you're new to understanding your camera settings, you might want to revisit Episode 211: Understanding Your Camera's Settings: A Simple Guide to Your Modes.
How utterly splendid. π Letβs get into this. π
Here are 5 top tips for working with light! π‘
Okay. Time for some practical photography tips to help you consistently capture stunning light in your photos. π€© These tips will simplify how you see and think about light, helping you create impactful images with beautiful illumination. πΌοΈ
1: Seeing the Light: Understanding Light Quality (Harsh vs. Soft) βοΈβοΈ
The first step to mastering light is learning to see it π and understand its quality. Light isn't just "on" or "off"; it comes in different flavours, π¦ broadly categorised as harsh light or soft light. Harsh light, like direct midday sun, βοΈ creates strong, defined shadows and bright, blown-out highlights. Think of those squinty-eyed family photos at lunchtime, π© or someone standing directly under a streetlight at night! π¦ This kind of light is very high contrast, which can be dramatic and powerful, π₯ but also incredibly challenging to work with. It often results in lost detail in both the brightest and darkest parts of your photo. π If you're specifically struggling with strong sunlight, go back and check out Episode 209: Taking Great Photos in Direct Sunlight: Beating the Harsh Light. On the other hand, soft light is diffused and even, π«οΈ creating gentle transitions between light and shadow. πΌοΈ Imagine the light from an overcast day, βοΈ the glow from a large window, π or the uniform shade under a large tree. π³ This kind of light is much more forgiving, reducing harsh shadows, minimizing skin blemishes in portraits, π and allowing for a broader range of tones in your image. It literally wraps around your subject, making everything look smoother and more flattering. π Learning to identify these two qualities on the fly will instantly tell you how forgiving or dramatic your lighting situation is, and how you might need to adjust your shooting. πΈ
2: Shaping Your Subject: The Importance of Light Direction β¬ οΈβ¬οΈβ‘οΈ
Once you understand light quality, the next crucial element is light direction. π§ Where is the light coming from in relation to your subject? π
Front lighting (light hitting the front of your subject directly from behind you, the photographer) tends to flatten out details and make colours pop. π Itβs great for clear, bright portraits but it can make your subject look two-dimensional, almost like a cardboard cutout. π« It doesnβt usually add much depth or drama. π
Side lighting comes from the left or right of your subject. β‘οΈ This is where the magic of three-dimensionality really begins! β¨ Side lighting creates shadows that reveal texture, shape, and dimension, πΌοΈ making your subject appear to have more form and volume. This is often favoured for landscapes to highlight the contours of hills, β°οΈ or for portraits to sculpt the face, creating definition and visual interest. π§
Backlighting (light coming from directly behind your subject, facing your camera) is fantastic for creating dramatic silhouettes, π€ where your subject appears as a dark shape against a bright background. It can also create a beautiful "rim light" or "hair light" that outlines your subject with a glowing halo, π helping to separate it from the background and giving a dreamy, ethereal feel. βοΈ This can be tricky to expose correctly (you often need to overexpose slightly or use fill light), but the results are often stunning and very artistic. π¨ Experimenting with your position relative to the light source, even just by a few steps, can completely change the mood and impact of your photo. Don't be a static photographer; dance around that light! πΊ
3: The Magic Hours: Harnessing Golden Hour and Blue Hour Light π π
There are specific times of day when light is simply magical, β¨ and photographers affectionately call them the Golden Hour and Blue Hour. π°οΈ These are your secret weapons for heavenly light! π€«
The Golden Hour occurs shortly after sunrise π and before sunset. π During this time, the sun is very low in the sky, causing its light to travel through more of the Earth's atmosphere. π This scatters the blue light, leaving behind a soft, warm, golden glow. π This light is incredibly flattering for everything: portraits get a warm, healthy glow, π landscapes are bathed in rich hues, π¨ and cityscapes take on a beautiful, ethereal quality. ποΈ The shadows are long and soft, adding depth and drama without being harsh. Itβs like natureβs own, perfectly set filter! ποΈ If you're keen on capturing these moments in a broader scene, check out Episode 213: Your First Five Steps into Landscape Photography.
The Blue Hour happens just before sunrise and immediately after sunset. π The sun has dipped completely below the horizon, but there's still a remnant of daylight in the upper atmosphere. This gives the sky a deep, rich blue tone, π often with hints of orange and pink from the distant sun. Itβs a fantastic time for cityscapes, where the deep blue sky beautifully complements artificial lights, β¨ giving a cool, serene, and sophisticated feel to your photos. The light is incredibly soft and even during this time. These are the times to set your alarm β° or stay out a little longer β trust me, itβs worth losing a bit of sleep for! π΄
4: Making the Most of Flat Light: Overcast Skies and Open Shade βοΈβοΈ
What about those days when the light isn't "golden" or "blue"? π€·ββοΈ What about an overcast day? π§οΈ Many beginners see a cloudy day and think, "Rubbish light!" π But an overcast sky is actually a fantastic gift! π It acts like a giant, natural softbox, diffusing the sunlight evenly across the entire scene. This creates soft, directionless light that is fantastic for a multitude of subjects: portraits benefit from even skin tones and reduced harsh shadows, π macro photography reveals intricate details without distracting highlights, π and product photography looks clean and professional. π¦ It's incredibly forgiving light, making it ideal for beginners who are still learning to manage exposure. Similarly, open shadeβlike under a large tree, π³ a building's awning, ποΈ or a porch π‘βprovides that beautifully soft, even light, protecting your subject from direct harsh sun and creating a natural, flattering illumination. Don't dismiss these light conditions as boring; they offer a different kind of beauty and are often preferred by many photographers for their ability to reveal subtle details and accurate colours without the distractions of strong highlights and shadows. Embrace the clouds and the shade; theyβre giving you a giant, free softbox! π
5: Painting with Shadows: Using Shade and Contrast Creatively ππ¨
Light isn't just about what's illuminated; it's also about what's in shadow. π€ Shadows are incredibly powerful compositional tools that can add depth, mystery, and drama to your photos. πΌοΈ Don't be afraid of them! π» Instead, learn to compose with them and let them work for you. π€
Long shadows from a low sun can create captivating leading lines, β‘οΈ drawing the viewer's eye through the frame, or form interesting abstract patterns that become the subject themselves. γ°οΈ
Deep shadows can hide distracting elements, π€« simplifying your composition and drawing the eye directly to the brighter, more important parts of your image. This is a fantastic way to declutter a busy scene. β¨
The interplay between light and shadow creates contrast, which is vital for adding impact and making your subjects pop. π₯ Think of how strong light on one side of a face and deep shadow on the other can create a sense of mystery or drama in a portrait. π
You can even look for dappled light, where light filters through leaves or objects, πΏ creating interesting patterns of light and shadow on your subject. Understanding how shadows define shape, add mood, and contribute to the overall storytelling is as important as understanding light itself; they are two sides of the same coin, working together to create a compelling photograph. πͺ For more on using elements to guide the eye and compose your shots, have a listen to Episode 214: Finding Your Best Angle: Simple Tips for Better Composition.
Here is something for you to do. π
Grab your camera or phone and head out! π±πΆββοΈ Choose a single subject β it could be a simple mug, β a tree, π² or even a friend. π€ Now, photograph it at different times of day (midday sun, βοΈ late afternoon, π dusk π) and from different angles relative to the light (front, side, back). β‘οΈβ¬ οΈβ¬οΈ Also, try photographing it in direct sun, then move it into open shade. π³ Pay attention to how the quality of light (harsh vs. soft) and direction of light change the mood, shadows, and colours. π Compare your photos and see how much difference simply observing and working with light makes! β¨
What if I use a phone to take my photos? π±
Your phone is excellent for practising with light! β¨ The principles of harsh versus soft light, and the direction of light, apply just as much to phone photography. Your phone's camera automatically adjusts to light conditions, but you can influence its results. π οΈ For instance, using the exposure slider on your phone screen can help you brighten shadows or protect highlights. π For those magical Golden and Blue hours, π your phone is perfect for capturing the mood. π Experiment with the built-in portrait mode to see how it handles different lighting, or try a third-party app that gives you more control over exposure to truly master light with your phone. π€³ The best camera for learning about light is always the one you have with you! π€©
What do I do? π·ββοΈ
As a professional photographer specializing in architectural and landscape photography, my life revolves around light. π‘ It's not just a preference; it's a non-negotiable part of my craft. π― For me, the first decision on any shoot is always: "What is the light doing?" π§ If the light isn't right, I don't even press the shutter. π«
However, and this is a big however, I often have fixed, non-negotiable times to photograph buildings. This means, much as I'd absolutely love to shoot every structure in the perfect Golden Hour light, it's simply not always an option! β° So, when I'm faced with harsh midday sun βοΈ or a less-than-ideal time, I shift my focus. Instead of waiting for the ideal light, I work with the light I have. This might mean:
Leveraging natural shade and angles: I strategically position my camera to use existing shade from nearby buildings, large trees, or even the building itself, to soften the light or create intentional contrast. This helps to manage those harsh transitions. π³ποΈ
Using the building itself: Employing the shadows cast by architectural features to create dramatic contrast, rather than trying to eliminate them. ποΈ I might even frame the shot to emphasize the strong shadows, adding drama.
Embracing overcast days: A cloudy sky βοΈ is actually a blessing here, providing that beautiful, soft, diffused light that reveals details without harsh glare. This can be perfect for showing off textures and colours.
Changing my angle dramatically: Rather than waiting for the sun to move, I move! π Getting low, high, or shifting my perspective significantly to find where the light is working best for that particular time of day, perhaps using the light that's available on a different side of the building.
For landscapes, I can often be a bit more flexible and chase that Golden Hour π or Blue Hour π beauty. But for architecture, it's about being adaptable and creative within the given time, ensuring every photograph I deliver is not just technically perfect, but aesthetically captivating, thanks to carefully chosen and expertly captured light. π
Final Takeaways and Summary for Mastering Light π
Let's recap the essentials for mastering light and transforming your photos. β¨
See light quality: Understand the difference between harsh, direct light βοΈ and soft, diffused light. βοΈ
Control light direction: Experiment with front, side, and backlighting β‘οΈβ¬ οΈβ¬οΈ to shape your subject. πΌοΈ
Embrace the magic hours: Plan shoots around the beautiful, warm Golden Hour π and cool Blue Hour. π
Love flat light: Overcast days and open shade provide wonderfully soft, even illumination. π³
Use shadows creatively: Don't fear shadows; compose with them to add depth and drama. π
Become a student of light: Like me, make it a habit to study light even when you're not taking photos. π§ Learning to truly love light will transform your photography and your way of seeing the world. π
Practice these simple tips consistently, and you'll dramatically improve how you see and capture light, making your photos truly stand out. π€©
Some thoughts from the last episode π€
Episode 216 β Essential Accessories for Every Photographer (Without Breaking the Bank), was basically me telling you what gear I have and use. And that is pretty much all that I have and use. And each of these bits of kit helps me to take better photos in one way or another.
Next Episode π
Next week: Episode 218: Train Your Eye: Master Photography Right Where You Are. Yes really.
Right β I have redone this bit as it was getting far too long. π
If you have enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you donβt miss any future ones. π For anything else, check out my website, RickMcEvoyPhotography.com, π where you can find out how to ask a question, β get a weekly email from me, π§ get in touch, π or find out more about my splendid podcast. ποΈ
And you can text me directly from the podcast feed. π¬
I have a YouTube channel too - type Rick McEvoy into YouTube and you'll find me. βΆοΈ
And finally, check out my courses page, π where you will find my splendid "How to Become a Real Estate Photographer" course. π
This episode was brought to you by a cheese and pickle sandwich π₯ͺ and a Coke Zero, π₯€ which I consumed before settling into my homemade, acoustically cushioned recording emporium. ποΈπ‘
I've been Rick McEvoy. Thanks again for listening to my small but perfectly formed podcast and for giving me 27 minutes of your valuable time. π I reckon this episode will be about 22 minutes long after editing out the mistakes and bad stuff. βοΈ
Thanks for listening π
Take care and stay safe. π‘οΈ
Cheers from me, Rick! π»