Use the Light
Contributing Photographer: Carla Ackermann
I am so glad you stopped by to join us in this series of Life Lessons from Photography School! Here are the other tips you may have missed:
Lesson 1- A Few Changes Can Lead to Great Photos
Lesson 2- DIY Reflector and Boucing Light
Lesson 3- Waiting for that Great Shot
Lesson 4- Shooting from Different angles
Lesson 5-Working the Blur Technique and Leaning on it
Lesson 6- Clear the Clutter
Lesson 7- Check Your Settings
Lesson 8- Night Shots
We will end this fabulous series with a tip on Night Shots and Using the Light. There are many times when photo opportunities present themselves but it is in a dark situation. There are a lot of great photos that can be taken at night! If I want to accomplish blur motion (which I love) or some other effect, my preference is to photograph without a flash. However, a problem can occur. If there is not enough light it can be difficult to focus for the shot. If this is the case, just use a light. You could have a flashlight which you just shine on your subject or use your flash for the initial photo. If you have your lens on auto focus, you can focus using the light, switch the lens to manual focus and then take your shot without the extra light.
This is what I did above. I took the first photo using my flash as a guide for focusing. I flipped my lens to manual focus and, without moving the camera (have it mounted on a tripod or another stable surface) take the “real” photo. The second photo below is the result. I got great blur motion with the page turning.
Dark situations are all around us in life as well. The bible clearly states that it is a Light for us (Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path). With God’s Word, we can see through our darkest situation. We need to apply His Truths to our lives and allow it to bring everything in to focus. We simply can not find our way and focus in the right direction without a Light shining out for us. Read the Word, let it light your path.