Light Makes Right - 3 Tips For Making The Most Of Your Outdoor Photos

©Peter Bowers. All Rights Reserved

If you’re new to photography, then you know how much fun it is to get the perfect shot, but you also know the disappointment you feel when a picture doesn’t turn out like you’d hoped.

Light is the most important element in getting the perfect shot. This is especially true with outdoor photography. When you’re outdoors, you have almost no control of the light. Also, when you are shooting outdoors, there are many factors that can influence your photo.

That’s why it’s so important to be ready when the “right” shot comes along. After all, when the special moment happens, you want to capture it with your camera and enjoy it for a lifetime. Part of being ready is being knowledgeable enough to take advantage of whatever lighting condition you may encounter.

These three tips will help you capture more moments, in a flash. With a little practice (expect to make some mistakes), you’ll become a better photographer and get more great photos.

Know your ISO. You can set the ISO on most digital cameras. The ISO number indicates how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present. ISO settings are 200, 400, 800 and 1600 on most cameras. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the image sensor, and the more success you’re likely to have taking a photo in low-light situations.

So if you’re sitting through a three-hour little league game and the light gets progressively darker during the course of the game, then you might want to double check you ISO setting when your son or daughter comes up for their last at bat. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss a home run.

©Brent Pearson. All Rights Reserved

Know the type of light you’re dealing with. Did you know there’s a distinct difference between the light you see at sunrise versus the light you see at sunset? The same goes for light in the middle of the day. Your photos will look dramatically different depending on the time of day you take the photo, no matter what you’re photographing. Also, the angle of the light and the shadows you see play a big role in how you’re photo will appear.

Recently, I was photographing cottonwood trees in the late afternoon. The leaf of a cottonwood is shiny on one side and dull on the other. This made for a dramatic effect as the slowly setting sun caught the reflection of the shiny side as the wind moved through the branches of the tree.

If you’re taking photos on a bright sunny day, look for shots that make best use of sharp shadows for a stunning effect. If it’s overcast, then make sure you find splashes of color (flowers, green grass, etc.).

Know your flash. Many people mistakenly believe that the only times a flash should be used are indoors and at night. Flash is essential for many outdoor photos as well. This is often called “fill flash,” because the flash from your camera is filling in dark areas of a photograph. It is especially useful when your subject’s back is to the sun, or when shadows are cast over your subject.

Fill flash is also ideal when you’re subject is in the shade, as a shady spot can often make a photo appear flat. A flash will accentuate highlights and give the photo more depth and brightness. Be sure to stay within your flash’s range, usually four to 10 feet. If you’re too far, the flash effect will be minimal, too close and you’ll wash out your subject with too much light.

Remember, lighting conditions play the biggest role in whether a photograph is great or not. Keep these tips in mind, and you’re to get more great shots.

Matt Smolsky writes articles for a variety of clients, including Hoorray, a photo sharing website that offers a free online photo album to new members and is the easiest place to create a digital photo album, calendar, and more.

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