Photograph the Light not the Land
Here is a quick quote that caught my attention today when talking to a friend who is a landscape photography enthusiast.
He said:
“Photograph the light not the land.”
His theory is that it’s the light not the actual subjects in a scene that can make or break a landscape image.
While I’m not sure I’d throw out the scene completely (and neither would my friend I’m sure) I think he’s onto something.
Different kinds of light can completely transform a scene from something that you might not take a second look at to something that takes your breath away.
Here’s a few shots which I think illustrate his point pretty well.
Read more posts like 'Photograph the Light not the Land'
October 12th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Hey Darren. Inspirational thought. I think light is the most essential thing that transforms scenes into somthing special - or not. So very often the photographer has to wait for the right moment to click the shutter - then, when the light draws colours and athmospheres into the landscape…
October 12th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Those are fantastic photos. I wish to capture those kind of masterpiece. In my opinion land and light must comes together in creating a masterpiece, and of coz Darren was right..the right lighting created it
October 12th, 2007 at 1:42 am
Those are some great examples of “photographing the light”. My biggest challenge with that kind of subject is getting the metering correct. I have not quite figured out how to quickly bump the exposure up or down a stop on my Nikon without going fully manual.
October 12th, 2007 at 1:47 am
Great examples! Any tips on actually photographing the light? ;]
October 12th, 2007 at 1:51 am
Just how do you manage to pick these wonderful example shots, Darren? Not just for this post, but virtually all of tutorial/tips-style posts.
October 12th, 2007 at 2:20 am
You know there’s good light when there’s good shadows. ;)
October 12th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Wonderful images. I will have to try this out.
October 12th, 2007 at 6:59 am
I liked a lot this topic, and of course the examples.
May I suggest to play with the white balance. Sometimes it really gives new alternatives to use the light.
October 12th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Very inspiring images! Sometimes just a few minutes can make the difference between a good photograph and a great one.
October 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Contrast is what usually caughts our sight.
Thanks for food for thought. And samples, too - they are awesome.
October 13th, 2007 at 12:06 am
Amazing photos and no words to describe the beauty of light.
October 13th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I found this a very timely article. On the weekend I woke up in the middle of the night, it was a foggy misty night and there was a light on in a yard behind my home. The rays of the light were shining through the trees and it gave a similar effect to the suns rays through the tree in the first image with this article. These articles certainly open your mind to other opportunites when taking photos. Especially helpful to us amateurs. THANK YOU
October 13th, 2007 at 4:43 am
They are all masterpieces. It is beyond doubt that light is the life of a picture.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:15 am
I keep this concept in mind all the time. One of the things I am always aware of is shadows. When there are long shadows, there is good, interesting light. I also keep aware of what affect clouds are having on the sunlight. If you bracket your shots by about one stop, you are sure to get some great photos. I normally shoot in aperture priority (AV) mode, but sometimes in manual - never auto.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Years ago I took a lot of photo classes from an instructor (Charles Mason by name) who frequently asked his students, “What is the subject of every photograph?” The correct response of course was, “light,” a truth so stunningly obvious that we often forget it. It becomes part of the “white noise” of our consciousness. As is often the case, the difference between ordinary and superior photographs is the photographer’s ability to see what they are looking at.
October 13th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Great advice and wonderful example images.. thanks!
October 13th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
This image is very good it give inspiration to all about freshness to share your Photos online
October 14th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Lovely pictures and my sort of photography - just a pity that mine aren’t as good !
October 15th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Can’t stop looking at the first photo!!
The problem is that you have to know exactly where to meter that photo and what exposure compensations you need to make. then you really have to know your camera and its features. Because the light in this photo is momentary. I dream about taking a photo as good.
I have just finished Bryan Peterson’s book ‘Understanding Exposure’ and it has helped me allot. I have my estimate on how to take this photo from reading this book and think that I could come close.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:24 am
“the subject is irrelevant - photograph the light” i thought this was the catchphrase of one of the great photographers , cant remember which one (but luc bresson rings a bell )
you get a complete idea of what he was on about if you look at many of nasa@s pics - the light in outer space is awesome
yes all great pics here though
November 30th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Great post mate! Some of the example images are amazing.