W
W
hen we view a great glamour photograph,we usually see a beautiful
model, beautifully lit, beautifully posed, composed, and exposed, with
her inner and outer beauty well expressed. When we see a picture,most if not
all of these qualities are missing. But what a photograph and a picture have in
common is that there is some form of light falling on the subject. It’s this light
and how it was portrayed that determines whether an image is worthy of being
called a photograph. A photograph is an image of life. A picture is an image
too, but it struggles with portraying light in an effective manner.
To create a beautiful photograph, you must understand the quality of the
light. You must learn to truly see the light, and you must feel it.
A professional photographer understands you must learn to see the light
before you can feel it and is aware that light comes in many forms and can be
altered in many ways. A pro has learned that light is pliable and is sometimes
not so flexible, that it is forgiving and sometimes unforgiving. A professional
shooter is also aware that light is continuous but sometimes intermittent, that
it is always available both naturally and artificially, and that light is
controllable but not always predictable. Most importantly, a profes-
sional photographer knows that without light, you have nothing.Qualities of Light.
There are many qualities of light, and professional photographers
understand how to apply and alter them as necessary. Some of those qualities
are direction, intensity, color, distribution, and the contrast of light.
Direction.The direction of light can be controlled by using light modifiers
like softboxes, octaboxes, snoots, grids, louvers, flags, cutters, beauty dishes,LIGHTING BASICS 171. LIGHTING BASICS.
Most importantly, a professional
photographer knows that
without light, you have nothing.