Finding the light

It is not always convenient to bring lighting equipments around every time you take photo. In many cases, we find ourselves in the situation of struggling on how to use available light at best. "Finding the light" to me is a technique (or a way of thinking) to connect the available light sources to create a good photograph.

The photograph below was taken by Admiré on my sister wedding (she is beautiful, right?). She sat near to the only window in the room, during her make-up. The only light source outside is the sunlight reflected on my neighbor's house which is painted in pink color. Single "soft-box" with "pink" gel! The background is lit by the same window light, just darker due to the "inverse-square law". The gradient in the background nicely lead my attention to the subject. Simple & nice!

(Canon 40D, 17-55mm f2.8)

I took the photo of Admiré (below) in Venice at around 5-6pm. I brought no flash, just a Canon 40D and 85mm f1.8 lenses. Hard sunlight positioned high above became hair-light & key. Reflective surface of the chair acted as fill light (well, you're right, red-cast needs to be removed). Few minutes later, the light was gone as the sun went down :)

(Canon 40D, 85mm f1.8)

Just some thoughts I have when going through our archived photos today. I would love to have your inputs in this topic, like let us see your photo where you "find the light" in the comment section ;)

Analox

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Some other photos I found relevant to this topic. Hope the owners won't mind :)

From DoubleVirgo

From NamTP

Self-dialogue

To me, photography is merely a language. There is a story to be told, a feeling to be expressed in one good photograph...

(@ Lourve Museum, Paris | Olympus E520, Zuiko 12-60mm)

"There is always a struggle, a struggle within"

Analox

A photograph

Model: Admiré @ Lourve Museum, Paris
Olympus E520, Zuiko 12-60mm

Just post here 'cause it's my fav :)

Analox

At a crossroad in Paris

(Olympus E520, Zuiko 12-60mm)

Love this photograph in many aspects: the composition with lines, patterns of the stone road and interesting expressions of the kid & the man. My wife told me that she just took this shot without noticing any of these stuffs, at the moment it clicks.
Oh yes, I guess sometimes emotion guides the techniques and that's all...

Analox

Rome, Italy: Note 1

The hotel that we stayed in Rome was within a walking distance to Vatican city, the museum & the St. Peter's Square. The city is protected from outsiders by very tall, strong and solid walls which surely will impress you at first. I took photos of the walls almost every time we walked by, from different angle of views and perspectives, and yet not satisfied with what I got.

On the last afternoon of our stay in Rome, we went to St. Peter's Square and passed by the car with the wall reflected on its rear window. Kinda interesting, so I took one shot & moved on. It turns out that I like this photo of the wall most :)

(Canon 40D, Canon 85mm f1.8)

How long you should stay in Rome during your trip? I don't know - it depends on what you look for. For me, it can be just a good photograph :)

Analox

Monday's blue

Long weekend makes you feel "blue" for Monday, even if it is the first Monday of the new year.

I spent the last two days revising my paper while my wife studied for her coming exams. Pretty tired now. Anyway, like my friend's status on FB "Word of the year: CHARGE!", that should be our spirit for the coming Monday, rite?

(Olympus E520, Zuiko 12-60mm SWD)

By the way, the photos were taken on top of a hill in Rudesheim, Germany ("google" for "Niederwald Monument"). The place offers breath-taking views of Rhein river and the nearby vineyards. (see my previous post)

Analox

Tourism

(Olympus E520, Zuiko 12-60mm SWD)

Not that I don't like long weekend, but it makes me kind of "jealous" of those who are traveling to enjoy this holiday season. Hmm, bad side of Flickr or Facebook actually...

Anyway, I shot this photo through a dirty window with only one small clean spot, in Château de Versailles. No post-processing on the "focus" effect that you see. Cool, rite?

Analox