WHAT IS PHOTOGRAPHY?

Photography is an art form. A painter creates an image on a canvas using paints and brushes. A photographer creates an image on film using light instead of paint and a camera instead of a brush. The brush is a painter’s tool to control how the paint is applied to the canvas. Similarly a photographer uses the camera to control how the light is applied to the film.

Before you can start to get creative, you must determine how much light is required for the particular film being used in order to get the right exposure.

ACHIEVING THE RIGHT EXPOSURE

Our eyes are not accurate enough to determine how much light is required in order to record a particular image on film. A light meter is used to determine that. Most cameras have a light meter built in. An automatic camera will use the reading from the built in light meter to set the camera for that exposure. A camera that is not automatic requires that the photographer make the necessary settings. An automatic camera is certainly easier to use, but making the settings manually will give you more control over the creative process. Using the automatic camera would be similar to a painter using a computer to choose the brushes rather than the painter deciding which brush will give the desired affect. 

IS YOUR LIGHT METER TELLING THE TRUTH?

Without question, a light meter is more accurate than our eyes. But is it foolproof? The answer is – NO. The type of light meter that is built into cameras, takes an overall measure of the light in the area that is in the view finder of the camera. In other words it takes an average. In situations where the amount of light is consistent throughout the area, the reading is accurate. If, however, all areas are not evenly lit, the results can be disappointing.

For example, you are taking a photo of a sunny backyard scene with  a person sitting on a bench being shaded by a tree. The meter in the camera would average the light in the sunny areas and the shaded areas. The result of the meter reading from your camera is effected by how much of the area in view is shaded. If half of the area is in shade, the sunny areas would be overexposed and the shady areas would be underexposed.

If on the other hand, most of the backyard was sunny and the shaded area with the bench comprised only a small part of the scene, the exposure would be set for the sunny area. The result would be a dark patch under the tree with the person on the bench also being very dark. Don’t despair, there is something that can be done to overcome this. You could wait until the shade under the tree has moved and the bench is   in a sunny area.

The more practical alternative is to use a flash to light up the shaded area. Flash photography is not just for indoor photos. The flash can be the perfect solution to an unevenly lit outdoor scene.

The most important thing to remember is that the light meter in your camera is not foolproof. If you are alert to situations where it is difficult for the light meter to give you an accurate reading, you can take control and make the necessary changes in order to ensure that your photos will not  disappoint you.

HOW TO GET GOOD RESULTS FROM YOUR FLASH

When using a flash, it is important to remember that the light from the flash decreases the further it has to travel. Flash units have a range within which they will function best. Check the instructions for your flash and then stay within that range. For instance, if your flash is recommended for distances from 5 to 20 feet, the distance between the camera and the subject should be no less than 5 feet and no greater than 20 feet. A distance of less than five feet will give you an overexposed image and a distance greater than 20 feet will give you an underexposed image.

In order to stay within the range when taking a photo of large groups, you will probably need to use a wide angle lens. On the other hand, if you want to take a closeup photo, you may need to use a 100 mm lens or greater.

It is important when taking a flash photo of several people, that they are all approximately the same distance from the camera. If one person is positioned a lot closer than another, the closer person will get more light from the flash. This will result in one person being a lot darker than the other.

Lastly, watch out for shiny surfaces such as glass or polished wood because they can  cause the flash to be reflected back causing an unsightly flare.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE BETTER PHOTO'S?

Before you click the shutter, take a moment and have a second look. Quite often we are so excited about the picture we are taking that we overlook the little details.

When taking photographs of people indoors, pay attention to what is behind the people. A lampshade growing out of someone’s head may be funny at first, but is usually not the desired effect. A picture on the wall might seem nice to include in the background, but beware of glass because it can cause the flash to cause an unsightly flare. By keeping the background as simple as possible you can avoid such things and make the people the central focus.

Apply the same care when taking photos outside. Be aware of unsightly distractions such as hydro poles, the for sale sign on the neighbor’s lawn, garbage cans and chain link fences. By positioning people in front of a shrub or tree, you add an attractive background and block out objects that take away from the photo. Sometimes, something as simple as taking a few steps to the right or left can make a big difference.

My name is Rosemarie Sood. I am a professional photographer and I have an extensive collection of landscape and nature images. Photographic prints can be ordered in a variety of sizes to enhance your home or office environment. Visit THE GALLERY to view larger formats of these images and make sure to bookmark the page because every month a new selection from the catalogue is featured at http://www.profeximages.com
or email any specific requests to sales@profeximages.com.

I welcome photography questions from interested readers. Please send any questions or topics of interest to rose@profeximages.com

Good Luck to all Shutterbugs!
 

Rosemarie Sood
PROFEX IMAGES
(905) 428-2712

Special Moments only come once!
Professional Photography to preserve the Memories.
And beautiful Scenic Prints to enhance your home or office.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.profeximages.com