Characteristics of Light
Light is the raw material we work with.
Light to photographers is like clay to a potter or words to a writer.
A writer uses a pen to write words to communicate what they see, think, or feel.
A photographer uses a camera to record light to photograph what they see, think, or
feel.
Light has characteristics that we can describe. We can see and think of these light sources on a base level in two ways. The first is transmitting or illuminating, and the second is reflective.
We see reflective light sources only because an illuminating/transmitting light affects it. Think of the sun lighting our part of the planet and illuminating, or making visible, all the reflective
light sources we get to see and photograph.
And learning to describe the characteristics of the light we're seeing is good practice.
This is important because when we understand the light we're seeing, we'll know what to do with camera operation to get the best picture possible to communicate what we'd like to express intentionally.
Characteristics of Light: Movement
Hello ,
Light moves.
And we can think of light movement in terms of transmitting and reflective light sources.
The transmitting light can move in relation to the reflective light sources.
The reflective light sources can move in relation to the transmitting light sources.
And we can move in relation to both the transmitting and reflective light sources.
Transmitting Light Sources and Movement
Ya know those headlights from cars we see driving down the road when it's dark out? Those are transmitting light sources moving.
The usual picture we see of that scenario is the headlights and taillights recording as blurs or streaks of light.
streaks of light.
And if we're working with a transmitting light source like a flash or studio strobe, we can physically move those transmitting light sources in relation to the subject, which, by the way, is a reflective light source.
Reflective Light Sources and Movement
When the earth (reflective light source) spins on its axis and moves around the sun (transmitting light source) during its yearly cosmic road trip, the reflective light source changes its relationship with the transmitting light source.
Someone walking, a bird flying, tall grass moving in a steady breeze, a cascading waterfall, a pitcher throwing a baseball.
You get the idea. All of those are reflective light sources moving.
The ubiquitous picture of a waterfall that seems like a smooth surface is a picture of a reflective light source moving.
Studying and Practicing With Light Movement
Our go-to setting for working with light movement, especially reflective light sources, is our shutter speed.
And if we're working in a fully automatic exposure mode, we ain't gonna be able to play with this.
If we wanna begin to explore how we work with light movement, we've gotta work in shutter priority or
manual exposure mode.
My guidance for practice would be to photograph something(s) that move at a consistent, or close to consistent, speed and make pictures at different shutter speeds.
And if we've never worked in anything other than a fully automatic exposure mode, It'd be a good idea to start off by working in the shutter
priority exposure mode. This'll keep tonalities as consistent as possible.
For what it's worth, the Getting To Know Your Camera class will get you working in shutter and aperture priority modes.
The Introduction To Photography class will get you working in manual exposure mode.
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
I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me.
And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? If that's the case, let's schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online private instruction that covers the
same things as my group classes.
Ways to work with me are listed below.
