In many cases, having the main light source behind the photographer and facing the subject of the photograph is a very desirable thing. Doing so can eliminate shadows that diminish detail in the dark parts of the image and at the same time give life to colors. But frontal lighting can also be rather bland and ordinary too.
If drama and mood are what you are looking for instead, it's time to start experimenting with the light you have. Try side-lighting your subject and you will see a whole different look suddenly appear. But if you are shooting flowers, back-lighting the subject can really make your image pop even more.
This is because of the effect that light has when viewed through the thin petals of a flower. It almost makes them glow. It gives them an ethereal quality that is very inviting to the eye of the viewer.
Here is an example of a flower I shot recently using back-lighting provided by the best light source possible, sunlight:
 |
| Red and yellow rose back-lit by the sun |
In the image above, notice how the sunlight is caught by the yellow parts of the flower petals. It almost looks as if they are aglow. The effect of the sunlight is even evident in the leaves of the flower as well.
I have other shots of this same flower that uses more side-lighting instead. And even though those images are fine in their own way, this image is pure magic and the main reason for that is simply because I placed the sun behind the flower.
Of course, you have to be careful with back-lighting that you don't include too much of the sunlight in the shot and overwhelm your main subject or even create annoying flare in the image. But when used properly, back-lighting can add a whole new dimension to your photography, especially when you are shooting flowers.
See my latest nature and wildlife images at:
www.duanelipham.com
Follow me on Google+
No comments:
Post a Comment