Photography

Composition: Being Creative with Light

Posted by Heyjude on

During 2020 I ran a photography challenge over on my travel blog looking at different techniques throughout the year. I was not expecting that the year itself would prove to be a challenge in that the Covid-19 pandemic hit us and not only put paid to any travel plans, but also altered the way in which we conducted our lives. This year I am going to look at those techniques again using new photographs as and when I get the opportunity.

May was about another of the six visual keys which help to create a great photograph. This month was about being creative with light. Photography literally means writing with light which immediately tells you how important lighting is. And with light comes shadows. Another important feature. An appreciation of light is crucial to making great photographs.

Shadows

A shady and rather dark spot in a local garden is brought to life by the light shining through the ferns and grass beyond and reflecting on the old stone wall and drinking trough.

Above I was struck by how the deep shade on this wall was lifted by the sunlight dappling through and highlighting the mosses and navelwort.

Patterns

Light and shade in a bluebell wood with the leaves from above casting pretty shadows on the tracks.

Backlight

Backlit tulips
Backlit leaves
Capturing the light

I am very fond of capturing the light through flowers and leaves. The Viridiflora tulips could have been totally overlooked merging into the background without the light shining through.

Silhouette

Shooting into the sun over water created not only silhouettes of the fishermen on the shore, but also captured the sea glitter the bright, sparkling light formed when sunlight reflects from water waves.

Colour of light

Late afternoon sun in winter creates a warm colour to this harbour image.
After an afternoon of rain and cloud, the cloud suddenly lifted to reveal the pink sky. Sunset – May 18 @ 21:20

If you would like to have a look at the different techniques covered throughout the year then you can see them here. Please note that I am not running this as a challenge, but merely using the old one as inspiration for my photography this year.

26 Comments

  1. restlessjo says:
    May 31, 2022 at 07:23

    I love that first capture, Jude. My kind of shot, if you can find them. Have you a garden visit lined up this week?

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 08:25

      Of course 😊

      1. restlessjo says:
        May 31, 2022 at 08:29

        🤣💟

  2. Maria Donovan says:
    May 31, 2022 at 09:20

    Beautiful – and so good to see examples all together.

    1. margaret21 says:
      May 31, 2022 at 16:38

      I remember that challenge with such affection Jude. And you seem to have moved up a gear on your own shots. Can’t pick a favourite!

      1. Heyjude says:
        May 31, 2022 at 22:33

        It is helping me focus this year when I go out. I’m more conscious of what I want to show. Some fabulous clouds today.

        1. margaret21 says:
          June 1, 2022 at 09:36

          We can do cloud at the moment. Heat? Not so much.

  3. bushboy says:
    May 31, 2022 at 10:08

    Wonderful inspirational photos Jude 🙂

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 11:54

      Thanks Brian, I couldn’t get out much when I ran the original challenge, so going back through the months is giving me a focus this year. Hope all is good with you.

      1. bushboy says:
        May 31, 2022 at 12:26

        I am doing OK thanks Jude 🙂

        1. Heyjude says:
          May 31, 2022 at 22:34

          Good to hear.

  4. kzmcb says:
    May 31, 2022 at 10:12

    I love the shadows photos. So rich and evocative.

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 22:37

      Yes, capturing shade and light is interesting. I had several attempts today which might make it onto the travel blog (as I’m not in Cornwall) 😊

  5. Toonsarah says:
    May 31, 2022 at 13:58

    A lovely varied set of images to illustrate your points about light in photography. I really like your first shot and the back-lit flowers in particular 🙂

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 22:38

      Thanks Sarah. I am very pleased with that first image. Glad you also like it.

  6. beetleypete says:
    May 31, 2022 at 18:11

    Very nice examples, Jude. The harbour photo is ‘postcard perfect’.
    Best wishes, Pete. x

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 18:16

      Thanks Pete. I like that one too, the light was perfect.

  7. Elizabeth says:
    May 31, 2022 at 19:36

    I am drawn to the first. I grew up with a lot of shade and moss with occasional light peeking through. My childhood climate and flora were very similar to Cornwall. A marine environment.

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 21:11

      My favourite too. I was trying to capture light and shade today by a river. Lots of moss.

      1. Elizabeth says:
        June 2, 2022 at 18:58

        Tons of moss where I grew up too. Made for great fairy house rugs.

  8. Murtagh's Meadow says:
    May 31, 2022 at 21:01

    These are beautiful

    1. Heyjude says:
      May 31, 2022 at 21:12

      Thank you. Having a focus helps.

  9. the eternal traveller says:
    June 1, 2022 at 08:31

    I like taking shadow photos. And that last sunset is just stunning.

    1. Heyjude says:
      June 1, 2022 at 08:47

      The sunset was such a surprise. Half an hour before we couldn’t see the end of the garden!

  10. notesoflifeuk says:
    June 2, 2022 at 19:35

    Such wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing 🙂

Comments are closed.