For the next few weeks, let’s push the envelope a bit and stretch our photographic technique. I’m taking these challenges from my e-book 32 Photo Etudes: Studies in Composition, Focus, Light, Motion.
An etude (pronounced a-tood) is a technical study. The term comes from music. A photo etude is an exercise designed to enhance a particular photographic skill.
This week’s photo challenge is a lighting etude.
Photograph Interesting Light
Sometimes photographers look for a subject first – what we’re going to photograph – and forget to look for the light. Light is the medium of photographers – it is what we use to create photographs. Being able to see and use light is fundamental to photography.
For this etude, look for the light first. Almost any subject can be enhanced if light is falling on it.
I’ve published the above photo before because it’s all about the light. In a previous post (“The Meaning of Light”), I showed this same scene without the magical light of the morning sun – it’s a really boring underside of a bridge that most people wouldn’t look twice at let alone photograph. The light makes all the difference to this otherwise utilitarian subject.
This week, go for a photo walk and look for light sources. Where is the light coming from? The sun? A street light? Where does the light bounce off? A wall? A car?
I walked around Santa Fe one morning looking for light. I found a number of interesting doors and explored how the light and shadows were interacting with the decorative designs.
I even waited a bit at one door for the light to come through a slit in the doorframe. Another etude in the book focuses on how to achieve the starburst effect that I used to spread the light in this image.
Look for where the light lands and take a photo. It doesn’t matter if the subject is interesting or not, it matters only that it is illuminated.
Pay special attention to what is and is not illuminated by this interesting light.
I walked around Agra Fort looking for shafts of light coming through the high windows. Almost anything the light hit became magical – including these two Indian women.
I love this next photo not because it’s of anything interesting – though the house we were photographing in Havana was quite interesting – but the light fell on this bed in an interesting way and created shapes on the floor and a mood.
Shadows really let you see where the light is coming from. It’s not so much the shadow that’s important for this week’s challenge, it’s moving to better see the light.
Studio work is almost all about setting up the light. I like dramatic lighting that sets part of the face in shadow. In this studio shoot, I was looking for ways to use the natural light coming through a window. Part of Emily’s face is illuminated and part is in shadow.
I include a number of etudes in my ebook that focus on seeing and capturing light and shadows. Some of the etudes are designed to help you find light sources while others allow you to explore what happens when you change your relationship to the light.
This week, go out and find some interesting light – even if your subject is mundane and your photo will be brilliant!
In each Photo Etude, the assignment is to create 12 photos, but for weekly challenges 12 isn’t necessary, just try your hand at the technique to get the hang of it. If you want to share multiple images to discuss with others, feel free to share on this Facebook Album.
If you want more photo etudes, the e-book is available on Kindle or directly through my website. To see a sample, check out the post I wrote when I published the book.
Some great images, and I LOVE that first one! It is indeed All About The Light
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[…] For the Wits End Weekly Photo Challenge: Interesting Light […]
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What lovely photos! I love the one with the room, and the light on the bed and floor. Some of my favorite light photos are indoor ones. Though I must say I have my share of gasps at outdoor ones… Speaking of … sharing here one of my absolute favorite photos.
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/01/25/light-tilt/
Na’am
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And you’re playing with diagonals!
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🙂 Thanks, Jenn! It was not exactly intentional, but I did love the result and had done several since … There’s some fun in these tilted lines! 🙂
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The light through the slit is my favourite.
https://junkboattravels.blogspot.com/2019/01/wits-end-weekly-photo-challenge.html
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Soooo adorable! Love the light – and it’s different on each of the cats.
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[…] Interesting Light – Weekly Photo / In the Distance – Cee’s B&W / Weekend B & W / Determined – FOWC / Forecast – RDP / Combine – WODC […]
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[…] I think this photo also works for Jen’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Interesting Light. […]
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[…] The new Weekly Photo Challenge is Interesting Light. […]
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[…] the view from the deck at our hostel Butterfli Lodge. The setting sun cast the most beautiful light over the Remarkables. What an absolute […]
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Such a great theme! Here’s mine: https://aliveandtrekking.com/2019/01/27/greeting/
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[…] Posted as part of Wit’s End […]
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[…] coincidence this post echoes the Wit’s End photo challenge this week – Interesting […]
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Your photos evoke warm sunlight and welcome shade. I’ve been trying to make the most of low sun on short winter days recently: https://beyondthewindowbox.wordpress.com/2019/01/26/light-on-wet-cobbles/
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Love the light! I have a shot or two from Falmouth where I’m playing with light in a similar way. It’s tough this time of year!
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Thank you Jenn. Yes, you have to catch the light before it goes at this time of year!
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You have demonstrated the role of light extremely well here. I love the first shot, and the Havana bedroom too. https://travelwithintent.com/2019/01/27/oman-grand-mosque-light-and-dark/
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Love it! I haven’t yet been here, but I’m a sucker for this type of architecture.
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[…] The word prompt from Jenn at Traveling At Wits End for the Weekly Photo Challenge: Interesting Light […]
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I had fun looking through my photos for interesting light. Love your examples Jenn. The first photo, the bed and bridge are wonderful
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[…] Wits End Weekly Photo Challenge […]
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[…] WitsEnd Weekly Photo Challenge: interesting lights […]
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Wonderful light images! I really like your tips for taking pictures.
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[…] For more information on Traveling at Wit’s End’s Photo Challenge, please click here. […]
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[…] For more information on Traveling at Wit’s End’s Photo Challenge, please click here. […]
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[…] For more information on Traveling at Wit’s End’s Photo Challenge, please click here. […]
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[…] week’s post was inspired by the themes Rainbow Colours from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Interesting Light from Jenn of Travelling at Wits End, Contrasting Colours from Nancy of Nancy Merrill Photography, […]
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The light streaming through the stained-glass windows of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia goes way beyond interesting, Jenn. http://bit.ly/JJ-Sagrada
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[…] week’s Weekly Photo Challenge from Witsend–Travel is for the […]
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[…] Weekly Photo Challenge: Interesting Light […]
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[…] Weekly Prompt Photo Challenge: Interesting-Light […]
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I love the bridge photo the most. It is a bit mystical. Who might step into the light at the end of the tunnel?
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[…] Interesting Light […]
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