It’s All About Light

I recently spent a couple hours with one of my favorite food photographers Penny De Los Santos. She held two sessions at BlogHer (a blogging conference with over 3500 attendees). She spoke about finding inspiration and some of the key elements that are found in every great photo.

The elements remain basic and straight forward its how you use them that sets the good apart from the great.

We start of this week with what most people consider the most important : Light

You need light in order to see color, black is the absence of all light and really all color since black absorbs all colors, are you still with me? When you have good light you have better colors, take that one step further better light = better saturation which also means better contrast and details.

Sometimes too much light can blow out a photo causing the image to lose precious details. The image to the left SOOC (straight out of the camera) was too bright, I reduced exposure in my editing software (Lightroom) and viola it automatically revealed what I intended on capturing, little bits of bright orange from emerging flower buds.

 

Even when you are indoors you can still find light whether its from a window.

Or an artificial source as I used photographing this donut. Your subject (even ones covered in fine powdered sugar) need lots of light.

Sunlight from behind the subject can illuminate silhouettes like the fuzz of a bee while making the petals look translucent.

Use whatever light is available and dial up your ISO on your settings to allow you to take photos in low light situations.

24-105 at 24 mm 4.0 | 1/20 | ISO 3200 /

If you do try a flash, make sure not to get too close to your subject. I actually had a diffuser on mine but it still looks washed out and a bit harsh even on a soft furry cat.

Better to shoot by the window and get some richness in her coat.

Nothing beats a setting sun. Try the a Golden Hour App for your smart phone that tells you exactly when the optimal time is based on your location for that ‘golden’ light.

Have a photo with great use of light? We’d love to see it in our Flickr Pool. Your photo might just even be featured here on OC Family.

See you next week when we look at 2. on our list color.