How to work in a directional trendy way with light and shadows?
Is there any other better and easy way to add drama and dimensions to your photographs? The way you can add depth is a conundrum which can be resolved by adding light and shadows! Not only can one enhance the ambience of the photograph but also turn it into an interpretive work of art. One can really then explore the art of photography as not just a medium of documentation but an art to really indulge into! It is the play of drama the depth that talks of the hidden story behind photos, it generates the emotions and expressions what a photographer wants to speak out through his piece of art.
Understanding the basics of the light in photographs
First and foremost, one needs to understand, that there is inter-relationship between the placement of object and source. This controls the areas where the shadows will fall, be it foreground or background. Like for instance, in case of front lighting, if one desires minimum amount of shadows, it is essential to place the source of light as close to the axis of the lens as possible. But bear it well in mind this position is least favorable for bringing out the details of texture. This kind of light is used to photograph beauty as it conceals flaws in skin and does not enhance textures. On the contrary side lighting is used to accentuate textures; it brings about deep drama of textures. It generally renders the image high contrast in case a small or point source is utilized.
Another important facet of lighting is backlighting. This is desired when the profile of the subject is to be highlighted. It keeps the subject completely in shadow. It often leads to certain issues regarding exposure. The general procedure to overcome this problem is to add enough lighting by fill lighting process. One more interesting option when fill lighting is not being used, is to use a weak illumination to lightly highlight the subject keeping the backlighting more prominently visible.
Variations in intensity of light
Intensity of light is referred to as amount of light available to take a photograph. This intensity is a combination of incident and reflected light. This intensity is essential to determine the exposure settings. It strongly affects the options you will want to select in case of aperture and shutter speeds as well. It also critically affects the ISO settings. General Thumb rule is higher the ISO settings lesser is amount of light needed for appropriate exposure. Thus it’s a cumulative inter relation, between the exposure settings and ISO settings.
Shadows adds feature and revelation to photographs
Shadows not only reveal the inter relation between placements various objects in a frame to be captured, but also suggest the relative distance between them. Thus adding dimension to the picture. It also depicts the mood of the image and subject held within. It’s a great blend of objects and shadows and objects that create masterpieces of photography. Moreover, shadows help in defining the time of the day, if it is natural photography in sunlight.
Conclusively, it is enthralling to play with lights and shadows. It turns your otherwise boring, dull and dimensionless pictures to a play of drama and adds concealing art effects to it.
