Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs



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Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

It is no mistake that I fell head over heels in love with the art of photography. As an artist I have many favorite mediums, but photography has quickly become my favorite. Because of its timeless beauty, I am able to capture the essence of a person or family through the lens of my camera. To me, nothing is more thrilling than waiting for film to develop in the magical shadows of a darkroom.

Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

When it comes to photography, I always try to keep things simple. Whether using my camera to capture recipes for Lacy and Meg or to freeze moments of beauty, simplicity is never overstated. I have come a long way in my photography journey and one of the greatest skills I have learned is to not overwork my photographs and styling. I have learned that the most important feature of any photography is my subject. The subject could be my newest kitchen creation, a beautiful sewing project, or my dog. So many times I have seen a great subject captured, only to have the photograph of the subject over saturated with a noisy background. I have made this same mistake many times myself.

Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

When I search for locations to shoot my clients, I always look for things that are simply beautiful. This could be an old brick wall, a large field of cotton, a bright red chair, or a beautifully lit couch. Allow your subject to speak for itself without over thinking the background.

Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

Another way to bring beauty and simplicity to your subject is through light. As an artist, I have always been fascinated with light, but did not appreciate it’s benefits until I became a professional photographer. Light can be your best friend or worst enemy. When photographing new recipes, I used to turn on a kitchen light, snap a picture and hope for the best. My broccoli would become distorted, my beautiful white cauliflower would turn out orange, and my spinach would have an awful blue cast to it. This would happen because I did not set my white balance correctly on my camera and utilize natural light.

Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

Most cameras have a function to change your white balance. If you are photographing your subject with natural light, you can adjust your white balance to compensate for daylight. Likewise, with florescent lighting or in a shadowy area you can adjust your camera to counteract the different ways those lights will affect your subject. However, it is always in your best interest to photograph things utilizing natural light.

Utilizing Light and Location to Create Timeless Photographs

One of my favorite ways to use natural light is through a large window. For example, if I am photographing a newborn, I want the images to have a sweet and soft feel about them. I will most likely place the newborn on a bed, couch, or floor adjacent to a large window. The light will cascade through the window creating a subtle sweetness to the photography, giving the photograph of the infant a timeless look.

The next time you grab your camera to photograph a client or friend, be sure to utilize a simple background and natural light to enrich your subject’s beauty.