the right light

My entry into photography began with a passion for portraiture; brides, babies, families, and eventually my own children. Because I was shooting soft and subtle subjects, I had to develop an eye for soft and subtle light. Since my photo training didn’t go any further than Photo 101, I had no idea how to use artificial light (aka a flash of any kind) and therefore had to learn how to achieve my desired results using natural light whenever humanly possible. After much trail and error and working at fine tuning my eyes to see the light (I swear I am not trying to be cheesy) I can now say that I’ve got it down.

So, why then did it not occur to me that the same rules can apply when shooting other subjects?

As I have turned my lens to the beauty of natural elements (flowers, trees, found objects) I guess I found myself in a similar light learning curve. As I was figuring out what worked and what didn’t, what I liked and what I didn’t, I wasn’t even falling back on the techniques I had already worked out. It wasn’t until I shot this blooming agapanthus that it clicked. I never tire of that pun. Why did this shot come out so well (with no photo editing needed at all) when other attempts on other days didn’t? The answer was simple. I shot the image in the late hours of the afternoon during the delicate light of dusk. The light was soft and my aperture was wide open (by default I might add as the camera was doing it’s best to gather as much light as it could under the dimming circumstances) which usually creates the perfect alchemy for an exquisite photo of any kind.

As I have taken my new/old lesson to heart, my nature photos have dramatically improved. I’m not saying you need soft light to capture lovely flower pictures. You don’t. But today, I challenge you to try treating your nature photos more like portraits. Schedule a session or two with the blossoms and blooms that are waking with the warmth of Spring. Be mindful of the light and try to flatter your subject as you would a dear friend. Relax and enjoy yourself and watch your nature photography bloom.

Comments

[Lawyer Mama]

I love that photo, Tracey. It's soft and beautiful.

I wish I could say I have natural light "down." I don't. Not yet. I know when the light is best for those magical photos, but actually being able to shoot then is hit or miss. But here are a couple that I do like with light I love:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2328400734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2328398678/in/photostream/

[Hay]

Fantastic photo and post Tracey, thanks :)

Well, it's Autumn here in New Zealand, which finally means rain! I took this one yesterday, between showers, and really liked the soft light on the droplets :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippyhappyhay/2376850308/

[Tracie]

I love this project--not because I have light down but because I have been working hard to find the right light--that subtle soft spring light. Your photo is just lovely.

Here are my attempts:

http://tracienolesross.com/sketchbook/?p=120

http://tracienolesross.com/sketchbook/?p=119

[Kacey]

I love that photo! I can't wait until spring hits in full force here to go out and capture the flowers here.

I've been experimenting with natural lighting with flowers too. Unfortunately inside since spring isn't quite cooperating here.This amaryllis photo was taken inside with the natural light from a north facing window.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/04/01/the-never-ending-to-do-list/

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Just as soon as we have such a thing here in Colorado, I'll definitely experiment some more...

[natala]

Love this... and practicing soft light in nature...

Thanks Tracey :)

Here is mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atheart/2379378841/

[Jen]

What a beautiful picture.

I too enjoy shooting in natural light. I find flashes make things too harsh. I recently took a picture of my niece that I have fallen in love with - I only cropped this picture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlynn28/2378007589/

I know I have a lot to learn still, but I hope that I am on my way!

[Raven]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justexpressive/2361521278/

This was taken around 6 ish in the bayou behind my house :), other than the watermark and border-nothing was done to the picture.

[Melissa B]

This is a beautiful picture and a great post. I'm so ready for spring to be in full bloom here so that I can get out and practice more. In the meantime here is an oldy of mine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2380420498/

[Sherry]

Beautiful photo Tracey! Flowers are one of my favorites subjects. Here's one I took yesterday.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25233571@N04/2380449146/

[Marcie]

I do all my nature photos in early morning light.

http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/07/twice-as-nice.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/07/siamese-twins.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/03/promise.html

[Elizabeth]

Lovely photo Tracey! I'm inspired to get out there with my camera this afternoon and shoot some of the new spring buds poking up around the neighborhood. Here are a few shots where I got lucky with the light:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2299576706/in/set-72157603991659866/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2300960495/in/set-72157603991659866/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2294962596/in/set-72157603991659866/

[susan]

I took just a couple of photos yesterday between the rain when I realized the first blooms were out in our yard. I am looking forward to the day I have a better lens.
Its not as soft as I'd like but I do like the contrast between the brown and fresh green.
http://flickr.com/photos/suswhit/2379495149/

[divrchk]

That is gorgeous. I was out this weekend taking lots of photos of flowers, plants and trees. I actually posted this one http://flickr.com/photos/divrchk/2370365412/ for my bsm yesterday.

[melody]

The soft light and colors of this shot are beautiful. I never shoot with flash...even when I should. :) Tracey, thanks for always being a genuine inspiration.

I haven't edited my recent nature shots. Here's one from a year ago. I really had less idea of what I was doing then than now, but I've always loved this bud.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/467471868/

[Anke]

This is my first share for Shutter Sisters, thanks for the inspiration everytime I check out your new entries, Tracey. Your fotos are so beautiful, real eye candies! Happy Spring everyone, smiles, Anke ;)


http://ankemartin.blogspot.com/2008/04/shutter-sisters-right-light.html#links

[lora]

that's a great suggestion. when i take photos of people, the are usually their best when i've really tapped into the heart and spirit of the pubject. why not the still life as well?

AMAZING photo of the blooming flower you linked to!

[Carrie Harvey]

I took these just last friday...

http://harveychriscarrie.blogspot.com/2008/03/spring-has-sprung.html

[mary]

Oh what a beautiful photo! This tulip was shot with the morning light streaming in through the window. It's not as ethereal as your agapanthus, but it is natural light...alas, I'm still learning.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9068078@N05/2377607137/

[Teresa]

Such insprational photos. I took this in late afternoon.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8078228@N08/2340847094/

[emily]

thank you for sharing with us, tracey! i love it when awesome photographers share stories about their learning experiences - how they have grown and how they are still growing.

i took this photo near forsyth park in savannah, ga late yesterday afternoon...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/girl_seeking_grace/2381147622/

[Kelly]

That is a stunning photo, Tracey! Here are a few of my favorite floral shots where I loved the lighting:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2288747365/in/set-72157604046455679/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/2288747365/in/set-72157604046455679/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/momofthreewi/378611029/in/set-72157604046455679/

[Kerry]

Here's a spring time shot of mine:

http://flickr.com/photos/kerryokra/2380990981/

[Elaine]

Thank you for this lesson. I'll be applying these principles tomorrow as I shoot early spring flowering plants.

[cyndi]

i love this. it's perfect.

[Stacy]

I only wish I had some flowers to photograph! Beautiful shot, Tracey.

[littlepurplecow]

Beautiful image, Tracey.