Photographing with Available Light

Quite frequently I read about using available light. Available light can be great or it can be awful. Early morning and late evening is the best time to use available light. Even then it can be too dark, too light, or coming from the wrong direction. National Graphic employed photographers that made great use of available light. These photographers often spend months getting the image that appeared in the magazine. Some locations might be best photographed early morning and in the fall to get the lighting just right.

When it comes to portrait and wedding photography I think that you will find available light falls way short most of the time. If you take the greatest song that was ever penned and allow me to compose, write the music and sing it, all you will have is a mess. With available light the same can apply. If you are aware of the best time of day, the correct angle to position yourself and your subject and understand how to set up your camera then your are on the correct path. Alot of the new digital cameras will allow one to photograph in very low light, but often this light has lost it quality and must receive help from flashes, reflectors and other tools of the trade.

Yes digital cameras allows looking at the image as soon as you take it, but you need the knowledge/skill to know if you have captured greatest or just a vacation snapshot. On cheaper cameras this image is often a lot different than what you see when looking at the back of your camera. To get truly great images using cameras that are set to auto will normally not produce them. There are lots of material available to help you learn the in's and out's of great photography.

One thing about digital is that photography is a lot of fun. It's great to see what you have just photographed and not have to have film developed and proofed. I enjoy the challenge of always trying to improve my photography. Photography will never get old or boring so keep looking to improve your photography and you won't get bored with photography.

Thanks of the long read.
Bill