Natural Light Photography

Using natural light is the key to improving your photographs! When the flash on your camera is used as the primary light source, the light is harsh and flat. Objects are not sympathetically rendered. So, if there is one big rule from here on out, it is TURN OFF YOR FLASH!

Whew! Got that out of the way....! Now, as you look at what to photograph, I want you to be drawn by the quality of light more than anything. Refine your photograph through good composition, but first, make it about the light. Choose the time of day you will shoot very carefully.

Take a look at the beautiful landscapes of Joseph Holmes here. Click on his Gallery link. I met Joseph at a conference in New York last year. He works with arge format 4x5 film, high resolution digital scans and a wide format Epson printer to make prints up to 4' x 6 ' in size. As you look at the work, ask yourself, how does the quality of light that Joseph perceives contribute to the quality of the piece?

-Jerry