Welcome to the 19th episode in the on-going saga of the Tuesday Photo Challenge! Last week’s roll-up of all the curves showcased some amazing photography, and was a tribute to all the creativity that runs rampant in you wonderful readers!
This week I wanted something a little different from what we’ve done before, in how we deal with a quintessential component of photography: Light.
As you well know, there is no image for us to capture without light, unless we’re looking to present a pure black canvas. We use light, and shadow, to compose a scene for the viewer, and often fall into a familiar pattern, where we avoid bright spots of light falling onto our film, be it digital or analog. What I’m asking you to do this week, is that you use light to create bright elements, such as specular highlights or small reflective spots, in your composition to add to the quality of the image.
You’ll notice that these spots will draw the attention of the viewer to those areas of the image; you’ll want to use the spots to lead the viewer’s eye to your subject. Too large a bright spot will not allow the eye to escape from the area and be led. Be cautious and don’t overdo it, but also don’t be bashful!
Here’s an image that I captured at Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
Path of Light
This image has a bit of a different look, as I used a zone-plate lens, which causes subtle diffraction patterns, thus providing a very soft focus and dream-like quality.
Go play with light, find some reflections, bright little spots filtering through leaves, or whatever catches your eye, and, most of all, have fun!!!
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
Create a pingback link to this post, so that I can create a post showing all of the submissions over the week
Have fun creating something new (or sharing something old)!!
I expect this challenge to provide some interesting imagery, as light is essential to our existence!
Technical Details
This image was captured with a Canon 5D MkIII using a Lensbaby zone-plate lens. This lens has a fixed f-stop of f/19 and was used at 1/160 second and 400 ISO.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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30 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Light”
this was interesting to read, sharing it with my son later as he is embarking on a photgraphy subject at college…thanks for the valuable information
Glad to hear that you like it. Sounds like your son will have a great time taking photography in college, as it’s the perfect way to learn. My daughter did photography as a minor and really enjoyed it.
its a new subject for him as part of course requirement and he is looking forward to it. any suggestions on a camera to get started on? yes i am sure its the best place to learn and also get lots of practice in. your daughter is fortunate that you can guide her then, thanks…Gina
Camera will depend on the direction that the course takes; in a lot of photography courses, students will learn how to shoot, develop and print film, which gives them a solid grounding in what it takes to create a great photograph.
If the course is digital rather than film, I’d suggest going with a basic DSLR from either Canon or Nikon; a high-end, expensive camera does not take better photos, until one really knows how to expose to the very limits of the camera. Finding a basic kit from an on-line retailer, such as http://adorama.com/ is usually a great way to go and should be in the range of $350-500 for a camera and a lens or two.
I shoot with Canon cameras and love their system.
Hope this helps.
My daughter’s attitude was interesting in that shooting film gave her the opinion that dad’s work with a digital SLR was not as lofty, until she saw one of my lighting set ups and decided that dad actually knew something 🙂
Frank
thank you for the detailed explanation, food for thought which i have passed on to him, Joshua, my elder son will be focusing on digital photography so that was a good direction to point him in…. i have no experience at all here. Its always amazing when our kids have that light bulb moment when they see parents actually having more knowledge and expertise than them in certain “modern” areas. i totally understand! I had used a Canon camera way before digital made an appearance so i am quite confident of their quality and performance. he does have college cameras to work with currently so maybe he can give that a go first? eventually having to get his own. truly appreciate the time and effort you have taken to write this all down. i should be reading more of your photography posts so i can understand his jargon in future. Gina
This is a beautiful photo, Frank, and a lovely focus for the challenge. I’m a little nervous about the subtlety, and I trust the perfect situation will come forward. ☺ Cool. Have a great week. Blessings, Debbie
Dutch goes the Photo! 
this was interesting to read, sharing it with my son later as he is embarking on a photgraphy subject at college…thanks for the valuable information
Glad to hear that you like it. Sounds like your son will have a great time taking photography in college, as it’s the perfect way to learn. My daughter did photography as a minor and really enjoyed it.
its a new subject for him as part of course requirement and he is looking forward to it. any suggestions on a camera to get started on? yes i am sure its the best place to learn and also get lots of practice in. your daughter is fortunate that you can guide her then, thanks…Gina
Camera will depend on the direction that the course takes; in a lot of photography courses, students will learn how to shoot, develop and print film, which gives them a solid grounding in what it takes to create a great photograph.
If the course is digital rather than film, I’d suggest going with a basic DSLR from either Canon or Nikon; a high-end, expensive camera does not take better photos, until one really knows how to expose to the very limits of the camera. Finding a basic kit from an on-line retailer, such as http://adorama.com/ is usually a great way to go and should be in the range of $350-500 for a camera and a lens or two.
I shoot with Canon cameras and love their system.
Hope this helps.
My daughter’s attitude was interesting in that shooting film gave her the opinion that dad’s work with a digital SLR was not as lofty, until she saw one of my lighting set ups and decided that dad actually knew something 🙂
Frank
thank you for the detailed explanation, food for thought which i have passed on to him, Joshua, my elder son will be focusing on digital photography so that was a good direction to point him in…. i have no experience at all here. Its always amazing when our kids have that light bulb moment when they see parents actually having more knowledge and expertise than them in certain “modern” areas. i totally understand! I had used a Canon camera way before digital made an appearance so i am quite confident of their quality and performance. he does have college cameras to work with currently so maybe he can give that a go first? eventually having to get his own. truly appreciate the time and effort you have taken to write this all down. i should be reading more of your photography posts so i can understand his jargon in future. Gina
This is a beautiful photo, Frank, and a lovely focus for the challenge. I’m a little nervous about the subtlety, and I trust the perfect situation will come forward. ☺ Cool. Have a great week. Blessings, Debbie
Thank you, Debbie! I’m confident that your eyes will catch a glitter that calls to you at some point during the week 🙂
Beautiful photo Frank. I look forward to taking part this week.
Thank you, Miriam! Looking forward to all the fun photos for this week.
lovely photo 🙂
https://ladyleemanila.wordpress.com/2016/08/24/tuesday-photo-challenge-light/
Thank you!
It really looks like the garden of the fairy tale. Nice work. I have tried to use light in a different way. Here is my entry,https://closetoyoublog.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/playing-with-light/
These came out fantastic!!
Thank you.
OK Frank, done! I took a bit of creative license with this one … just was in my heart to do. Hope it’s ok
https://poetryinpicture.wordpress.com/2017/09/10/tuesday-photo-challenge-light/