Chapter 4: Manipulating the Light
Indirect Light
Direct Light
Direct Sun
To Use Flash or Not to Use Flash
Direction of Light
Light Modifiers
Color Temperature or White Balance
Basic Studio Lighting
When it comes to resplendent light, natural light wins, hands down, and, in a perfect world, it would be forever sunny, and all windows would face north to capture that beautiful quality. Unfortunately, we live in a world with all sorts of weather, a sun that sets, and windows that may not face the optimal direction. What’s a children’s photographer to do?
Kids are not going to stand around waiting for you to fiddle with your camera and lighting. You’ve got to work quickly and effectively without too much fuss. Luckily, many intrepid photographers have gone before you and figured out helpful and simple tricks for manipulating whatever lighting situation you may find yourself in.
Indirect Light
Beginning photographers are so often concerned with finding light in enough quantity to make a good exposure that they don’t stop to consider the quality of that light and its effect on the child they are photographing. When you start to see how the quality of light can work for you, you will start to use different types of lighting on purpose to create a certain look or convey an emotion.
Indirect light is the light you have been learning ...
