| Seeing the Light: How Light Affects Photography |
From "Photography"
episode DPT-104 |
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We see in three dimensions, but a camera "sees" in only two. DIY Photography host Rick Sammon explains how the direction of light affects your photographs. Light from the side adds depth and dimension to a scene (figure A). Backlighting lets you create a silhouette. Just make sure your subject turns his head to the side so you can tell who it is (figure B). Light from overhead casts shadows into people's eyes, so avoid shooting between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. And avoid front lighting, which tends to make subjects squint. Two easy tips for remembering which film speed to use: - When it's 100 percent sunny outside, use ISO 100 film.
- 4 action and 4 fun, use ISO 400 film.
More of Rick's tips for great photography: - Imagine a ticktacktoe grid on the viewfinder, and place the subject where the lines intersect. That way, you'll get a pleasing composition and draw the viewer into the scene.
- To make your subject pop out, use a telephoto lens to blur the background.
- If you want an environmental scene that tells the story of where you are, use a wide-angle lens, and set it at a small aperture so you get a lot in focus.
- When there are plenty of shadows, use a flash to fill them in.
- If you're shooting underwater animals at the zoo and hold your camera at a right angle to the glass, the flash will create a starburst that washes out the shot. Instead, hold the camera at a 45-degree angle (figure C) so the flash bounces sideways off the glass. Or place the lens directly on the glass to eliminate all reflections. If you can't get that close, use a polarizing filter to get rid of reflections.
Shooting through wire: If you're using a wide-angle lens set at a small aperture, everything will be in focus, including the wire mesh around the cage (figure D ). To make the cage disappear, use a telephoto lens set at a wide aperture (figure E).
RESOURCES :
Fabric Photos
Model: 093402653X
Author: Marjorie Croner
Interweave Press Inc.
Website: interweave.com
National Geographic Photography Field Guide: Secrets to Making Great Pictures
Model: 0792274989
Author: Peter K. Burian and Robert Caputo
September 1999
The Photographer's Handbook
Model: 0679742042
Author: John Hedgecoe
Knopf, 1998
Photography
Model: 0321011082
Author: Edited by Barbara London
August 1997
The Question-and-Answer Guide to Photo Techniques
Model: 0715301985
Author: Lee Frost
Out of Print
Camera Angles: Tips and Techniques for Professional-Quality Photographs
Model: 0896582353
Author: Rick Sammon & Steve Werner
June 1994
Nikon
Includes tutorials and mini-lessons on creating better pictures, digital cameras and more. Measurements are given in the metric system.
Nikon
Website: www.nikon.com
Kodak Information
Tips, techniques, tutorials and information on cameras and film.
To e-mail Kodak, click here.
To access Kodak's contact information, click here.
www.kodak.com
Kodak
Website: www.kodak.com
Rick Sammon
1 Fox Rd.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
E-mail: RickSammon@aol.com
Web site: www.ricksammon.com
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