See the Light, Not the Camera

I just saw a really great quote about photography, and it really resonated with me, especially after the last session I just shot:

Beginning photographers think about cameras.
Intermediate photographers think about composition.
Advanced photographers think about light. 

The photography industry has been bombarded with new photographers in the last 5 or so years, now that digital cameras have come down in price, and produce such high quality results.  Now stop right there if you think this article is going to lambaste all those new photographers.  Let's get beyond that.


If you are really, truly, good at what you do, then you shouldn't be threatened by someone who hangs out a shingle because they are thinking about cameras.  You should be seeing light....not cameras.  Anyone can take a photo.  That's been proven.  But not everyone can take a photo that makes people stop....and look...because there is impact in the image.  When you see light....you create impact.  To channel the great Ty Webb of Caddyshack fame:  "See the light...be...be the light".

I was creating an advertisement for a local school's hockey team and, knowing that most ads get easily overlooked, I wanted to create one that had enough impact that people would stop and look at it. I asked my resident expert on all things hockey...my neighbor...if I could rent his hockey-playing son for a studio session.

Gridded soft boxes used behind subject to add rim lighting

I set up two lighting scenarios for this session.  The first involved two strong backlights in gridded soft boxes and one overhead light in a beauty dish.  The background lights were powered one to two stops over the main light...the actual ratio is more a matter of taste.  The background lights add dimension, detail, and drama.  This makes for an explosive cocktail when done well.

For me, drama is not only created by light.  It's created by shadows.  So, for the 2nd lighting setup, I used one light to the side of my subject, so that he was split lit and only half of his face was showing.  This kind of lighting works well for male athletes, because there is so much drama.  You wouldn't light a 2-year old ballerina in a tutu this way.



This makes for a really nice, dramatic shot that can be very powerful, no matter if it's an athlete, musician, businessman...whatever.  It creates impact.  Much like the punishment this kid puts on anyone trying to score against his goalie.

The camera had nothing to do with it.
The composition had very little to do with it.
The lighting had everything to do with it.