When I started my photography business, I was strictly a “natural light photographer.” And truth be known, I still love to shoot with natural light.
Armed with modifiers (and a Farmer’s Almanac to determine sunrise and sunset) I am able to create magic with Mother Nature.
But in order to grow as a professional, I realized that I would have to learn studio lighting.
I made the commitment five years ago to invest time and money in continuing education. I was fortunate enough to learn the basics from some of the leaders in the industry.
I studied posing and lighting techniques. And my curiosity led me to learn about studio strobes, modifiers, reflectors and transmitters.
(Thank you Dan, Joel and Michael!)
(Thank you Mike, Darton and Mark!)
Now, I rarely look at a photographic image without wondering how it was made. Or how it was “lit.”
Where did the light come from? What was the quality of the light? Where was the photographer’s lens when the image was captured?
This is far less about the actual type of equipment (e.g. camera and lens) than it is about how the photographer used the light.
Without investing in my business, and challenging myself as a photographer, I would never have been able to capture this dramatic image…
And despite the fact that Samantha was outside, artificial light had to be used to illuminate, not overcome, her face.
And this powerful image is a combination of creative studio lighting and action shots.
My credo for 2014: practice, practice, practice — and continue to look for the light.