Nature Photography Photo Workshop

3.2. NATURAL LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Natural subjects have more visual appeal when they are photographed in certain kinds of light. You need to know what is good light or not-so-good-light given a specific set of circumstances and you must match the subject matter with the right light. For example, a grand scenic photograph (covered in Chapter 6) might look absolutely spectacular in the early morning, but at any other time of day, the same landscape could appear dull and drab, lifeless and totally uninspiring — all depending on the light.

NOTE

As covered in Chapter 2, the most important part of previsualization is seeing the light and anticipating what will happen next, based on lighting conditions.

3.2.1. THE SUN AND CLOUDS

As a nature photographer you almost always deal with natural light. Nearly all natural light comes from the sun or a modified variation of sunlight. Even a cloudy day is lit by the sun. A landscape bathed in moonlight is indirectly lit by the sun. In rare cases, such as deep in a cave or under the sea where animals glow with phosphorescence, you might encounter other forms of natural light. But in most cases, you'll be concerned with the effects of sunlight and its derivatives.

So by far, the biggest factor all nature photographers must contend with is the sun. Where is it in the sky? Is its light being affected by objects in the sky or on the ground? That great orb in the sky can be your greatest ally or your worst enemy depending on what you're trying to do. ...