Shape, Texture, Composition, Color: Control Them All With Light

Hey photographers, let's talk about this... [Home]( Shape, Texture, Composition, Color: Control Them All with Light Grab the [Understanding Light: Book 2]( today to truly master light by discovering the secrets used by the professionals (but read the tips below first!). –– Light is one of the most important tools that you will ever master as a photographer. Every time you’re about to create a photograph, you should be asking yourself, “What is the light doing to my subject? And, is there anything that I can do to improve my photograph by controlling the light?” Here are 4 powerful effects that you can achieve by controlling the light when photographing: 1. Establish shape Defining shape is one of the most important elements in a photograph because it provides the mental cues for the brain to register a three-dimensional subject on a two-dimensional medium. If you’re a natural light photographer oftentimes your only choice for controlling the light (to establish shape) will be camera-to-subject angle and/or light-to-subject angle. These adjustments could be made by the choice of time of day, or more importantly, camera-to-subject angle, as seen in the image above. 2. Establish texture The idea of using light to control texture is probably a concept that you’re more aware of. It’s not as important as the point discussed above because it’s less “all encompassing” to the success of a photograph. In other words, there are times where you wish to accentuate texture, and therefore you need to know how to control light to achieve that — and there are times where you won’t want to accentuate texture. Plus, there are times where it really won’t matter all that much either way. This photograph uses texture to create a minimalistic abstract photograph of a known subject: tire tracks sliding across the ice. Without texture this photograph wouldn’t succeed at all. [Discover the secrets to controlling and manipulating light. Download our in-depth guide Understanding Light: Book 2 that will help you recognize, control and manipulate light... ⏰Be quick — Bonus expires midnight! Download Here →]( 3. Establish composition Light can be used in many ways to enhance a composition. Some ways include: - A change of camera position - A change of positioning of the light source relative to the subject - Eliminating the light altogether - Partially eliminating the light - Altering the color of the light - Squeezing the light into a tighter source - Painting with light - Artificially introducing light in post-production In this image, the photographer manipulated the light through their choice of camera position. It directs the viewer’s eyes right to the heart of the story, and it does so strictly through the use of light. 4. Establish color The color of the light in your image vastly affects the mood that it creates for the viewer. So, being able to make a decision to change the color of the light makes you a better photographer.. You can potentially change the color of light at four different points in the image creation process: - At the point where the light is generated (at the source) - At the point where the light reflects off of an object (absorption and reflection) - At the point between the camera and the subject (reflection and transmission) - At the point of imaging within the camera A polarizing filter, apart from reducing reflections, also alters the light by changing the color of the image. The example on the left in the image above is with the polarizer in one position. The example on the right is with the polarizing filter rotated 180 degrees. Clearly, the color has changed. There you have it! Those are some of the powerful effects that you can achieve by controlling light when photographing. Give some of the above ideas a try the next time you pick up your camera. If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic, you can learn more about controlling light in chapters 4 to 7 of Kent DuFault's [Understanding Light: Book 2]( to really get your shots pumping. Click below now, to learn more about it on the next page… [→ NEXT PAGE]( [Continue to next page »]( Keep that creative fire burning 🔥 Cheers, Brett   P.S – Want more quick photography tips, for free? Head over to our friend's website- [DailyPhotoTips.com]( now.       [ Want a quick way to learn the basics of photography? Grab our best-selling collection of cheat sheets: [The Snap Cards]( If you missed out on your set last time, they’re available again and on-sale right now. Plus there's a sweet bonus that expires at midnight. Don't miss out! [Download Here →]( Thank you for supporting Photzy! We're so glad you're here. 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