We are all or have been newbies in this of photography, we have all started obsessed with choosing the best camera that our pocket can pay for much that they tell us that is not the most important thing. We have all started by automatic fiddling without paying much attention to our instruction manual, waiting for the gift, the miracle that you do, worthy of receiving the title of photographers. Because the beginnings are always illusion and passion and some deception too. Because the great challenge of photography, the great ingredient, that which differentiates a mediocre image from a fascinating one is nothing more than lighting . The lighting is the great challenge to which we face as photographers, becauseLight is everything in a photograph, and at the same time one of the most forgotten and feared aspects
But do not be afraid, if you are here, you are on the right track, because photography is not a gift, well it may be a gift but it is one that is learned, and you are on your way to getting it
- Choose the right type of measurement for each occasion
- Learn to work with the histogram
- Keep the ISO low whenever you can
- Pay attention to white balance
- Experiment with light orientation
- Tips for outdoor photography
- Indoor photography tips
- Learn to master diaphragm opening
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TYPE OF MEASUREMENT FOR EACH OCCASION
While sometimes things will happen quickly before you and you will not have much time to think, the truth is that most of the time you will have enough time to prepare your camera settings . The question is to think about doing it and turning this fact into part of your photographic routine , because it is very important to decide before shooting, what ISO, what speed, what openness, why this and not the other. It is in your mind where the photograph begins to form that will later be captured on your sensor , so it is very important to think before shooting, because that is where the big difference lies and where you get a good image. One of the aspects that must be considered before shooting is what type of measurement is appropriate to the image in front of us, that is, where will the photometer of our camera collect the information and how will it process it to give us the exposure values.PUNCTUAL
It is the most accurate but does not mean that it is the most suitable for all occasions. The punctual mode measures the information at the exact point that we indicate without taking into account any type of light information outside it. It is useful when we want a very precise measurement in some part of the scene because it is there where our center of interest resides regardless of the information around, or when there is a lot of difference between our center of interest and the surrounding area.CENTRAL
This type of measurement discards the information from the margins of the frame, focusing on the central area of the scene.WEIGHTED TO THE CENTER
Similar to the central one, only this time it does not exclude the information that surrounds the central zone (although it gives less weight) and it does exclude the areas in which it considers the sky to be situated.MATRIX (MULTIPLE OR MULTIZONE PATTERN)
Measure all areas of the image creating average exposure values. It is probably the most used mode of all and that will work well for you in most situations , as long as you have an image without an exaggerated difference between lights and shadows (high contrast).LEARN TO WORK WITH THE HISTOGRAM
Surely you have ever noticed a sinister graphic that appears in the editing programs and on the screen of your camera (if you have it activated), full of spikes and so little intuitive, right? Well, that unfriendly graphic is called Histogram , it is very easy to use, and it will be your best ally when it comes to exposing your photographs. Here I explain step by step what it is, how it reads and, ultimately, how it can help you get better pictures. That great stranger who is going to become your best friend, you'll seeKEEP THE ISO LOW WHENEVER YOU CAN
High ISO values , while increasing the sensitivity to light of your sensor (allowing you to work as if there were more light than there really is), also have an impact on the quality of your image. That is why we always recommend keeping low values by default and upload it only when we need an extra dose of sensitivity (night or indoor photography).PAY ATTENTION TO WHITE BALANCE
Many lights that we see white are, in fact, captured by our sensor with warm tones (tungsten lights of most interiors) or cold (for example fluorescent), is what we know as color temperature . That is why it is so important to be careful with the white balance , which is the system that is responsible for correcting these color deviations towards warm or cold tones. Most of the time an automatic tone will work well for you, but if you want to ensure the result, shoot in RAW and correct the tone in the processing.EXPERIMENT WITH LIGHT ORIENTATION
Depending on the directionality of the light, a photograph of the same image can change dramatically.FRONTAL
The front light is placed in front of what we are portraying. Reduce textures, eliminate shadows and increase detail.SIDE
The subject or object receives the light laterally, highlighting the textures and increasing the volume.ZENITHAL
The light comes from above the subject by illuminating it from above. This type of lighting produces sharp shadows on the face, especially under the eyes and nose. This is the kind of lighting of the central hours of the day when the sun is high in the sky.NADIR OR COUNTER
If in the overhead lighting the light comes from above, in this case, it is quite the opposite, it comes from below, resulting in unnatural shadows, such as an illuminated chin, or dark cheekbones and eyes.REAR
The light comes from behind the subject. This is the type of lighting you will need to work with silhouettes or backlights .TIPS FOR OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Natural light is the best studio there is , and knowing how to play with it and squeeze out all its possibilities will be your great asset to improve your photographs through good lighting.SUNRISES AND SUNSETS
The best times of the day to take pictures outdoors are always the first and last of the day. In sunrises and sunsets , the light is soft, warm and lateral, enhancing textures, long and soft shadows ... Ideal to photograph landscapes and achieve wonderful portraits. The moments that precede (in sunrises) or that happen (sunsets) at these moments of warm light, are known as blue hour and will also give you magical opportunities to photograph both urban and natural landscapes.HARD LIGHT
Unfortunately, no matter how wonderful the light of sunsets and sunrises is, it is a light that lasts a few moments, so we either choose to hold ourselves all day without squeezing the shutter losing unrepeatable moments until dusk, or we learn some tricks to work with hard light, which is the majority of the rest of the day.- Take advantage of high contrast scenes to exercise your creativity
- Do not miss the opportunity to get a good portrait:
- Under a tree
- On a porch
- Under an umbrella or a beach umbrella
- Take advantage of the cloudy days in which clouds act as diffusers, softening contrast and shadows.
INDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
BEWARE OF WHITE BALANCE
Pay special attention to the white balance, because indoors you may find yourself facing a scene with combinations of lights and therefore with different color temperatures. When in doubt, shoot in RAW.APPROACH A WINDOW
The windows and their side light, decorated with clear curtains as a diffuser, can be the best home studio you can find. As always, the power of natural light is unique.USE ALL AVAILABLE LIGHT
The interiors, no matter how much light you think you have, are always less bright than you think. So run curtains, turn on lights, open doors ... All light is low.- Take the opportunity to experiment with portraits in high key (lots of light and white background) and especially in low key (dark background and dim light), you can get very good results indoors with some patience
GET AN EXTERNAL FLASH
The external flashes not only allow you to modify the power but also allow you to rotate the head to bounce the light on ceilings, walls or other surfaces allowing you to achieve a very photogenic homogeneous and diffused light for portraits.- If you did not have a rotary head, get a light diffuser, they are very cheap and offer you very good results.
AND FINALLY ... LEARN TO MASTER THE APERTURE
The best way to control the light that passes to your sensor is through the aperture of the diaphragm . Opening the diaphragm, you will let more light pass and closing less, also directly affecting the depth of field (the more closed the diaphragm is, the greater depth of field you will have in the image and the more open, less depth of field or area focused on the image.We better see it with a very graphic video: