Workshop Recap – Making the Best of Bad Lighting
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04-16-11 Making the Best of Bad Lighting part of the April SoCal Photog ShootOut
by Nathaniel Kam Photography
(syndicated on our Photography Tips Blog)
MODELS:
Vanessa Cedeno, Yianni Petrogonas, Devon Alana and Travis Sandoval (in order of appearance)
STYLISTS:
Hope Stanley – Bridal Stylist www.marymebridal.com
Special thanks to: Nate at Friar Tux in Orange for the tuxes! www.friartux.com
Sussanna Davidson for French Buckets –www.frenchbuckets.com
Mary Lallande for Jay’s Catering and Serra Plaza – www.serraplazaevents.com
Pegy Rizzuto – Sweets Tables www.PremiereEventsGroup.com
HAIR AND MAKEUP:
Makeup –
Jeanette Pulecio – www.jennettepulecio.com
Lisa O’Conner – www.elementsofartistry.com
Hair –
Diego Ortega – DiegoOrtega.net
Assisted by: Kristin Macchio
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Last Saturday we had the awesome opportunity lead a segment at the April SoCal Photog ShootOut, and what can I say other than wow! Their organizers did such a great job getting models, stylists, florist, and photographers together in one amazing venue. If you’re a photographer looking for a community where you can share, learn, be challenged and grow,
I highly suggest checking out your local Photog ShootOut Group.
The purpose of the SoCal Photog Shootout is to connect photographers with different strengths, abilities, and talents to learn from each other, to network and make new friends.
SoCal PSO is part of the global Photog Shootout network! The group has thousands of members nationwide, so no matter where you travel to you will know what your fellow photographers are doing! This will be your one stop to find workshops, photographer GTGs and other photography related events!
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– April Photog ShootOut –
Robert Tran and Jessica Tincopa – “Finding and Creating Beautiful light.”
www.jessicaelizabethphotography.com
Erin and Gavin Wade – “Seeing Through Your Subjects”
Matthew Saville – “ Quick Thinking/Feeling the Light”
Corina Shauntele – “Searching For the Light”
Nathaniel Kam – “Making the Best of Bad Lighting Situations”
www.nathanielkamphotography.com
Tamara Young – “Creating Drama and Emotion with Light”
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If you’re just learning about Photog ShootOuts or couldn’t make it to the April one, no worries there’s another one coming in June! So get connected, join in, and shoot. Alright onto the recap for our segment, “Making the Best of Bad Lighting Situations”. Inevitably, as a photographer you will at some point be asked to shoot in bad lighting. For us wedding photogs, this is most often a beach ceremony at 2PM on what seems like the brightest day of the year. California is covered with beaches, grassy plains, and open flower fields completely void of any even shade. No matter what you’re shooting it’ll happen – so best be prepared.
Photography Tip – All lighting is not equal, don’t fight bad lighting make it work with you
Front lighting (above)-
This technique uses the sun as a giant hot lamp, it gives high contrast and high saturation to images. Excellent for giving context and surrounding to your subject. This technique is not recommended for portraits or close ups. When shooting with front light always keep in mind it’s pros and cons. Example, we all know high noon + direct lighting creates shadows under the eyes, so don’t make the focus of your photo the face or eyes. Remember a big plus of using this technique is that exposure levels for your subject and your background will be even (ie. blue skies, colorful sunsets) – take advantage of these pros.
Back lighting (above)-
This technique uses your subject’s shadow to create even shade anywhere and anytime. Excellent for giving even skin tones, no harsh shadows, no squinting, and no glossy skin – it won’t be as good as the shady side of a building, but you can’t move a building to the beach can you? This technique is NOT recommended for trying to get lots of surrounding context or skylines to your photos. If you are at a beach shoot, don’t expect to get a pretty sunset using a back lighting technique (unless you want to add flash into the mix). For best results make sure your camera is shooting from inside your subjects shadow (i.e. block the sun with their head or body). You will get washy backgrounds but then you aren’t focusing on the background are you? Just like “eye shadows” in front lighting – keep in mind what your pros and cons are and focus on the pros.
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A few shots from what I now dub the “impromptu” rotation
Photography Tip – Challenge yourself to try new things
For those of you who know me personally, I’m sure you’re thinking vintage photos?? While it is not exactly our specialty, even I can’t deny it’s the most fitting look for this setting.
One of my favorites, such an amazing scene
My absolute favorite
Like what your seeing? Looking to learn more about photography? Check out our Photography Tips blog on posterous.
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