A Spontaneous Talk With A Lighting Tech Opened My Mind About Lightatalk with a lighting Tech
Published: Wed, 07/26/23
Sam offers in-person and online photography instruction. Call him at 202-531-2344 to see how he can help
you.
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Hello ,
Light is what we work with; It's our raw material. We record light to create our work and use light like a writer uses letters
and words. We use it to communicate.
And just as a writer needs to understand the words their working with to communicate whatever they want to share. We need to understand light.
And specifically, I think it helps to understand the characteristics of light.
So, back to the spontaneous talk with a lighting tech.
I met with a photographer yesterday and worked with them to help them practice for an upcoming job.
We where were in the National Portrait Gallery's Kogod Courtyard.
When I asked the
photographer to evaluate the light she was working within the courtyard and compare it with the light she thought she'd be working with during the job, she determined it was too bright.
I then pointed out an area of the building we could both see and asked her if what she was observing was closer to what she imagined she'd be working with during the job. She thought it was the same, so we walked into the
lower-intensity lighted area.
As we entered the area, I asked an employee of the museum if taking pictures in that space would be ok. He enthusiastically said yes. I then wondered if using a flash was ok because some museums prohibit using them. I was surprised to hear him say yes; using a flash is okay.
I mentioned my surprise and asked
him if he felt the light emitted by the flash would hasten the aging of the art on display.
His answer opened my mind to a characteristic of light that I usually don't consider.
And that characteristic is "Duration."
I think of duration as the time a light source
is visible.
And while no light source is infinite, some last longer than others.
Lightning is a short-duration transmitting light source. On the other hand, the sun or a turned-on light bulb are relatively longer duration transmitting light sources.
And we
need to consider the duration of light sources because they change at different speeds.
This is especially important because it's something to consider when introducing flash as a transmitting light source into our compositions.
This is the stuff we talk about during my intermediate-level photography classes.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture today.
That’s all for now; thanks for reading!
Sam
Study and practice photography with me.
And if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled
group classes, we can schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online one-on-one private instruction that cover the same things as any of my group classes.
---Get guidance on going from where you are to where you want to be as a photographer. There's no charge for a follow-up consultation. Just leave your phone number on the form, and I'll call you. Photography Instruction Strategy
Questionnaire.
I look forward to helping you be a better photographer.
Best Regards,
Sam
About Sam
Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography
instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer.
He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting.
Sam started working as a professional photographer
in the mid-1980s.
Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.
Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while
exhibiting his photographs in shows.
Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department.
In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington
School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.
It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C.
In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the
readers of the Washington City Paper.
Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.
On the other
hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent.
This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.
Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.
Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers.
He
instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.
