National Geographic Masters of Photography

/HVVRQV±$QQLH*ULI¿WKV²&RORUDQG/LJKW

LVSDVVLRQDWHSRZHUIXODQG¿HU\7U\SOD\LQJZLWKUHGDWDVORZHUH[SRVXUH

and letting it move. Photograph some dancers costumed in red, and let the

colors be imperfect and blended. Use the personalities of color to your

DGYDQWDJHE\FKRRVLQJDFRPSRVLWLRQZLWKLQDVSHFL¿FFRORUSDOHWWH

Two colors that are often neglected in discussing color photography are

EODFNDQGZKLWH(YHQZLWKFRORU¿OPEODFNDQGZKLWHFDQFUHDWHDPRRG\

or frightening image. Using white can lend an elegant, soft feel to images,

evoking innocence, stillness, simplicity, and beauty. Black and white can

be useful in an image because they don’t distract viewers from the point

you’re trying to make with lots of competing colors. There are also many

tonalities within blacks and whites, and those tonalities can help you learn

about tonalities in other colors.

Following the Light

An interesting challenge to set for yourself is to follow the light in the scenes

you’re photographing and allow it to choose what you shoot. You’ll often

¿QGWKDWOLJKWFDQOHDGYLHZHUVWKURXJKDQLPDJHDQGVHUYHDVWKHHOHPHQW

that holds a composition together. Try placing your subject in a puddle of

light and allowing the rest of the image to go dark. Or shoot a landscape on

a cloudy day, when the light is coming and going; photograph different parts

of the scene as the light touches them. Another fun exercise is to look for

balance in light—when the inside light starts to match the outside light.

Light is imperfect—it moves and changes; it can be dappled or fractured.

Dappled light—like that coming through the leaves of trees—can be

particularly appealing, adding little sparkles of light throughout an image.

When you’re photographing a person, remember the importance of capturing

a catch light in the eye. To viewers, this little bead of light feels like a

window to the soul and makes them feel closer to the subject. Have your

VXEMHFWIROORZ\RXU¿QJHUDV\RXPRYHLWXQWLO\RXVHHWKHFDWFKOLJKWLQKLV

or her eyes.

Silhouettes and Backlighting

Backlighting is among the most beautiful kinds of light. Silhouettes are, of

course, the ultimate use of backlighting, but it can also be used as a kind of