One thing I really kept in mind for these pictures was depth. A shallow depth of field helps to make the fruit more interesting.
Showing posts with label Lighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lighting. Show all posts
Jun 10, 2010
Plum Good Eating
Do you know what's really good on a hot summer day? Plums. Do you know what's even better? Plums warmed by the sun but picked in the cool of the evening...at sunset. My Mom went plum crazy; she made Plumonade (Plum-Lemonade), Plum Baby food, Plum sherbet, Prunes and so on...The lighting was just perfect when we picked the plums and these turned out to be plum good pictures too!
One thing I really kept in mind for these pictures was depth. A shallow depth of field helps to make the fruit more interesting.
One thing I really kept in mind for these pictures was depth. A shallow depth of field helps to make the fruit more interesting.
Apr 21, 2010
Ready, Set, Wait
What's wrong in the photo below?
Is it the subject...or the lighting?
This photo was taken at about 11:00 AM Notice how harsh the shadows are and how bright and washed out all the colors are. (Makes me want to squint!)
This picture was taken several hours later at about 5:30 PM
Notice any difference? The harsh shadows have disappeared and the colors are cool and soft.
Here's the two pictures side by side:
Both of these pictures were taken in auto with NO post-capture editing.
Isn't it amazing the difference simply waiting a few hours can make?
Jul 2, 2008
Macro Lighting
Lighting...I'll be honest, this is probably the thing I dread the most and have the hardest time with. But it is also one of the most important things in photography. So I have been reading some books from the library on lighting.
When in macro mode it is best to use longer shutter speeds in order to have enough light to properly expose your picture. But with a longer shutter speed it becomes more difficult to have a picture that that is not blurred-this is where a tripod comes in. For close-ups of flowers, rocks, insects, and other low-lying subjects a shorter tripod works best. I just got one yesterday and am anxious to try it out. :)
"Soft lighting from an overcast sky (or open shade) is nice because it reduces shadows and works well for intricate subjects." --The Joy of Photography
Photography requires patience if anything, as all photographers must find out sooner or later. When working with lighting for macro (or anything else for that matter) you often have to be patient and wait for the right time of day, or perhaps wait for several days before you can get a properly lit photograph. Perhaps this is why I dislike lighting so much, because I want be able to take the picture now, instead of waiting for another day. But like anything photography requires patience, and if you wait you will be rewarded in the end with a well lit picture.
But sometimes we don't have another day, maybe you are on vacation somewhere and it's either" now or never" "take it or leave it". Is there other ways to light your subject?
A tripod and longer shutter speed is one, holding a small piece of white paper under the subject to reflect light from the sun onto your subject is another. Also, sometimes you only have to wait a few minutes-or seconds for the lighting to change. The weather is constantly changing and varying and you can wait for the sun to come out, or go behind a cloud depending upon whether you need more or less light. But this also means that when you get suitable lighting don't wait! You may loose your opportunity!
Don't get discouraged, even professional photographers often find themselves at the mercy of the weather!
The key to photography is Patience, Patience, Patience.
Once you learn that, regardless of what others say, you are well on your way to mastering the art of photography.
When in macro mode it is best to use longer shutter speeds in order to have enough light to properly expose your picture. But with a longer shutter speed it becomes more difficult to have a picture that that is not blurred-this is where a tripod comes in. For close-ups of flowers, rocks, insects, and other low-lying subjects a shorter tripod works best. I just got one yesterday and am anxious to try it out. :)
"Soft lighting from an overcast sky (or open shade) is nice because it reduces shadows and works well for intricate subjects." --The Joy of Photography
Photography requires patience if anything, as all photographers must find out sooner or later. When working with lighting for macro (or anything else for that matter) you often have to be patient and wait for the right time of day, or perhaps wait for several days before you can get a properly lit photograph. Perhaps this is why I dislike lighting so much, because I want be able to take the picture now, instead of waiting for another day. But like anything photography requires patience, and if you wait you will be rewarded in the end with a well lit picture.
But sometimes we don't have another day, maybe you are on vacation somewhere and it's either" now or never" "take it or leave it". Is there other ways to light your subject?
A tripod and longer shutter speed is one, holding a small piece of white paper under the subject to reflect light from the sun onto your subject is another. Also, sometimes you only have to wait a few minutes-or seconds for the lighting to change. The weather is constantly changing and varying and you can wait for the sun to come out, or go behind a cloud depending upon whether you need more or less light. But this also means that when you get suitable lighting don't wait! You may loose your opportunity!
Don't get discouraged, even professional photographers often find themselves at the mercy of the weather!
The key to photography is Patience, Patience, Patience.
Once you learn that, regardless of what others say, you are well on your way to mastering the art of photography.
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