Natural Light, Available Light, Unnatural Light?

I see a lot of photography websites and Facebook pages popping up these days.  Most are pretty much the same.  Most photograph primarily outdoors, because they don't have a studio.  And most talk about loving natural light.  What they generally mean is they don't use artificial light enhancers, they just use whatever light is available.  Occasionally you can tell one has used flash to light their outdoor subject, usually an on-camera flash.  You can tell it was on-camera by the way the face is lit and by where the shadows fall.

There is a difference between natural light and available light.  I'd define available light is the light that's available whether indoors or out, without any modification.  If not done right, it can be very unnatural.  Natural light starts with available light, but will use modifiers to make sure the scene looks natural.  That means there's a proper balance between the light on the subject and the background.  It also means the light is flattering to the subject, while still looking "natural."

Next time you're outdoors with your family or a friend, look at their face and notice the bright areas of the face and the darker or shadowed areas of the face.  Light is directional.  If the sky is cloudy, or you're in the shade, it may be a little harder to see, but it's still true.  It is normal for there to be an area of the face that is better lit and an area that is a little shadowed.

You can modify the light by adding light or subtracting light.  You can add light with a reflector or a flash.  You can subtract light with a diffuser or by using something dark such as a black panel, a wall or other object, and by how you pose the subject in relation to the light.  If done poorly, it looks as unnatural as no modification at all, but if done well it looks totally natural, but incredibly wonderful, too.  It's difference between a snapshot and a true professional image.  It's the difference between something that is only worth putting on a CD to post on Facebook or print off your at home "photo-printer," and something that you would want to really display in your home and hope it will last to be enjoyed by future generations as well.

There are five lighting patterns that are used in classical portraiture.  Ask your photographer if they he or she knows what they are, when and how to use them to make you look your best, and how to create them before you book your next portrait.

Hey, we all gotta start somewhere.  But if you really value your photographs, make sure your photographer really understands light and how to use it and modify it to make you look incredible!

Happens every year

I'll never learn, but that's okay.  Every year it warms up for a week or two in early to mid-March.  The redbuds start getting red buds, threatening to burst forth and enrich the countryside with their velvety lavender blooms.  The garden bulbs - daffodils and narcissus, tulips and crocus are blooming.  The fruit trees are already covered in white blossoms and some are already transitioning to lush green foliage.  The elm trees are lending a pale green hue to the scene as they are giving birth to the seeds that will soon be coating our lawns and flowerbeds and ponds and porches and floors and....

I love it! The landscape is rich with the promise of springtime!  I so enjoy the warmth, going outside without a jacket.  The decrease in cedar pollen!!!  Spring is here!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we have another cool front and reality hits:  The key word is "promise."  Spring is almost here.  Oh well.  It isn't near as cold as it has been, and there are more warm days ahead than cold days.  It's Oklahoma.  It won't really green up around here until mid-April.  But that's okay, too.  It won't be long!

Hey, and now's the time to plan those outdoor spring portraits.  Call me and let's chat about updating your home decor with a beautiful, emotional family portrait!

Updates!

Lots of exciting things happening - some photography related, some not. 

We are still working on the Survivor Project.  Will be contacting more people to participate in the coming days.  If you know of someone who has cancer, or who has been successfully treated for cancer, have them call me asap - 405-392-3929 - so we can include them in the project.  Initially, we're planning a calendar; ultimately a coffee table book.  Both will be sold to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  If you or someone you know was treated at OU Medical, be sure and let me know as we may be doing a separate project for them.

We have a dance studio project and a couple of weddings coming up.  We are still photographing seniors for the class of 2011, but are looking for spokes models for class of 2012!  Spokes models, we need you now to provide you with sample images you can use to help promote Carr Portrait Art with your fellow seniors.  We are looking for people who want amazing senior portraits and aren't willing to settle for mediocre (or worse).

I'm also working on some photography programs that I can share at professional photographer associations.  God has blessed me with great mentors who helped me learn how to create beautiful portraits and how to market my business, and it's time for me to pay it forward.  Also, if anyone is interested in photography classes or PhotoShop classes on a local level, I would be willing to set up some classes at my studio.  These classes would oriented to amateur and advanced amateur photographers to help them learn how to better use their cameras and to do basic photo editing.  If you're interested, call me: 392-3929.

On a personal note: I am working on getting my book published.  It's a book sharing some very foundational principles for living a victorious Christian life.  In conjunction with that, to help spread awareness of the book, I've started a separate blog at: www.heisarewarder.blogspot.com and opened a Twitter account.  Most of what I'll be "tweeting" will be related to the book, but there will also be some photography related tweets as well I'm sure.  So, I hope you'll sign up to follow this blog and the book blog, as well as follow me on Twitter!