Foto tip Friday.....lighting at home

I rarely use studio lights as I just prefer working with natural light. I prefer its subtleties and also manipulating it to get the effect I want. I could certainly do with more training / practice in this area but out of the two its what I do best. That is not to say studio lighting isn't great. If I had the time and the confidence I reckon I could really get into creating some amazing effects, after all photography is the capture of light and if you know what your doing with it your practically there!

Anyway, before I start babbling on I thought I would provide some quick tips on creating lighting at home, studio style or location.

- You don't have to have professional lights. Experiment with halogen lights as these are probably the most neutral in terms of colour. AVOID fluores

cent as they will create a real hue which will be hard to get rid of, unless of course you want that effect.

- Tungsten light (your average lightbulb) can work really well just bare in mind it creates a slight yellow hue on everything and often, is not as bright as your average halogen bulb.

- Manipulate the light using reflective surfaces. You can buy professional reflectors from Ebay (for example) or you can even use things such as white, silver or gold bits of card.

- Use dark card or surfaces to absorb light where you want to. Use the reflector and the darker colours together to create the situation you want, or as close as.

- Use windows!! French doors can create beautiful light as it streams in. Use this to your advantage standing your subject parallel to this light.

- Soften light using natural tights or even pieces of tracing paper. (Beware of fire hazards here!)

- For more shadows use less light, say just one at an angle. For more even light use more. 3 or 4 lights should be more than enough and should eliminate all shadows and give you a 'high key' finish.

- May sound obvious but don't shoot directly into the light unless you are trying to create a silhouette effect.

- If you are trying to achieve a slight lens flare or a glare in the camera then don't shoot direct into the light but slightly at an angle. Move around and move your subject and you will find the right point. This is where digital camera's are an advantage as you can check and shoot until you have it right.

- If outside and using natural light then first thing in the morning when the sun is rising and last thing in the afternoon as the sun drops are the best times to get images. The light is soft, directional and you can achieve a number of effects with beautiful contrast between shadow and light.

-Experiment! That is what you need to do most of all. Get items or your mates and just have some fun. Work with the light, manipulate it and see what you can do.

There to be broken....

I am a firm believer in rules are there to be broken, i speak here in terms of photography and art. Of course in life, some rules you really are better off not breaking (like shooting your school bully in the back with a pistol or running naked through your local supermarket)

I say this because sometimes people are too caught up in what is 'meant' to be or how they got taught it 'this way or that way' so it must be right. Plop. Who says it must be right. Who says that this looks better than that. Art, photography, fashion - its all just a matter of opinion. Guidelines yes are useful and those age old methods we are all familiar with do come into play, they would not be around still today if somebody didn't think they were useful - but that doesn't mean you have to do it that way or you cant experiment yourself.

This does not mean you should not be aware of the rules or not have knowledge of them, thats not what I'm saying, I mean you need to know what your breaking first. Its just You just are allowed to break them!

Fashion photography is all about experimentation and some of the best and well know photographers are just that because they have stepped outside of the box and tried other things. Yes - once they have understood the rules they are stamping all over them!

Here are a few things other artists or photographers have to say on the matter:

Pro Fashion Photographer Adriana Curcio

Whomever said “rules are meant to be broken,” was on the right track. I was taught the correct way to light my subjects, and for a long time that’s what I did. After a few fortunate accidents, I realized there’s something to be said about high contrast, and dramatic lighting. Not everything needs to be lit just so, or be perfectly flattering. Bend and break the rules, and see what you find. You will surprise yourself.

http://digital-photography-school.com

Pro Fashion Photographer Jake Garn

I learned that the rule of thirds may actually be just a lazy man’s sham. That’s right, I said it… a lazy sham! On the surface the rule of thirds doesn’t really make a ton of sense, I mean why would a composition broken up into three equal parts be innately more appealing than any other random spattering in a composition?

http://jakegarn.com/

Pro Photographer Ellen Von Unworth

I think its important to know what you want. I'd rather go into the street with my camera and go click, click. For me thats more important than having the perfect light or exposure.

'Image Makers Image Takers'

Andrew Goodall Pro Photographer

In photography, you will find that rules help you in the beginning, and some rules will stay with you throughout your career. The trick is to understand when the rules don't apply, or when you should choose to ignore them. This is the type of knowledge that can't easily be taught. It comes with experience, and is what gives you individuality as a photographer.

The rule of thirds is an excellent guide for a beginner learning about composition. Photos that are taken according to the Rule Of Thirds appear balanced. They satisfy our natural sense of visual order and simply look 'right.' Unfortunately, the world is not so easily organised as the rule, so it is impossible in nature to take every photo this way. Moreover, sometimes you may decide to ignore the rule, giving more impact to the photo by shaking up the normal balance of the composition.

Knowing and following the rules will make you a good photographer. Choosing how and when to break them will make you even better.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Creative-Photography---Rules-Are-Made-to-Be-Broken&id=1486722

Pete Williams Pro Photographer

Composition in photography is far from a science, and as a result all of the 'rules' should be taken with a pinch of salt. If they don't work in your scene, ignore them; if you find a great composition that contradicts them, then go ahead and shoot it anyway. But they can often prove to be spot on, and are worth at least considering whenever you are out and about with your camera.

(image courtesy of www.gallowmere.com)

Strobist.com.....

It is always worth your while getting advise from other photographers, and not just advise but in general getting along with them and making alliances within your region.  This can be great for so many reasons, from yes advise and FAQ's but also to increase your network, learn new skills, assisting opportunities, covering jobs that they may not be able to do and also showing that you are like them, a small business just trying to get somewhere.  

There are photographers out there that still believe that sharing information is not to be done and befriending the 'competition' is not advisable.  You make your own judgements but thus far the other photographers I have been lucky enough to meet I have already learnt from them and hopefully given them something new to think about to.

A photographer I met the other day is a particular example.  Angus Thomas.  Not only did he live in the village I used to live in, he also went to my primary school and his mother taught there!  OK prob about 20 years prior to my attendance but it was great to start with that in common and our meeting was relaxed but professional and above all helpful.  We are already discussing skill sharing and getting a shoot planned together and I am very excited about getting together more often to pick each others brains & just generally get some good images!

One of the sites he recommended I look at if I was interested in flash was www.strobist.blogspot.com and I have to say, it is brilliant.  This place is definitely worth bookmarking and following the tutorials online is so worth investing some time in.  Take a read and learn some new flash skills plus.....keep your eyes peeled on my blog for images from my shoot with Angus - I am hoping it will be a good one!

Angus Thomas - www.angusthomas.com