Chapter 4. MANIPULATING THE LIGHT
Indirect Light
Direct Light
To Flash or Not to Flash
Direction of Light
Light Modifiers
Color Temperature or White Balance
Basic Studio Lighting
When it comes to gorgeous light, natural light wins, hands down, and, in a perfect world, it would be forever sunny and all windows would face north to capture that gorgeousness. Unfortunately, we live in a world with all sorts of weather, a sun that sets, and windows that may not face the optimal direction. What's a children's photographer to do? Kids are not going to stand around waiting for you to fiddle with your camera and lighting. You've got to work quickly and effectively without too much fuss. Luckily, many intrepid photographers have gone before you and figured out helpful and simple tricks for manipulating whatever lighting situation you may find yourself in.
INDIRECT LIGHT
Beginning photographers are so often concerned with finding light in enough quantity to make a good exposure that they don't stop to consider the quality of that light and its effect on the child they are photographing. When you start to see how the quality of light can work for you, you will start to use different types of lighting on purpose to create a certain look or convey an emotion.
Indirect light is the light you have been learning to see and use. The light you find coming through the windows of your home or on your front porch ...
Get PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN PHOTO WORKSHOP now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
