Why Isn't Light Working For You As A Photographer?

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[@OleAndersAndreassen]

This is by far the best channel for photographers on KZbin. I like that all the talk about gear and the latest trends in optics is cut out, and instead, there's a focus on photography and photographers.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Thank you so very much - that's lovely to hear

[@markgoostree6334]

Yesterday my granddaughter ask me for pictures to use on her graduation invitations. We went to a spot, her mom came to help me with poses and general direction. We had fun, got some good pictures, and some of the best were with the sun behind her. The highlights in her hair, kissing across her shoulder, and the high key general look , all of it worked well for her. It was fun for my photography to have an actual purpose. I don't get that very often. Just an FYI.... we ALWAYS get something from your talks about photography. Please, don't get tired of making your videos!

[@christopheredwardf1250]

Recently a friend who does "photography lessons" on Facebook was banging on about what she called "kind light" and her point was, if you don't have kind light, put your camera away and go home. Thank you Alex for so clearly enunciating how wrong that idea is. This video drives home the same point my lecturers at uni (photomedia) kept making: use the light you have. It has resulted for me in some magic images because I had to think creatively rather than just following the rules. Thank you again for the inspiration to stretch my photography.

[@peterlieberzeit3138]

Sportsman: "there is no bad weather, only bad equipment". Photographer: "There is no bad light, only inappropriate photo ideas". Indeed. Both have a point. And enjoying the "there and then" and making the best out of it is probably the essence of the average "tourist photographer" ;-)

[@lisajoseph5817]

Taking a 100 year old Kodak folding camera to a steampunk house party and shooting in the house was a highly educational experience as I did not have any sort of flash capability and generally only shoot outdoors under natural light. Best results involved shooting subjects through doorways to the garden or side-lit from the big picture window in the front hall. It was a great exercise. That little camera is capable of good photos if I set it up for success - and now I have a better grasp of what it can and cannot handle. Will it help my digital shooting? Absolutely. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you need to, keep a log of what settings you used so you have a better idea what worked and what didn't.

[@curiousabout1]

You have such a wonderful way of taking the sort of vague, jumbled ideas floating around in my head and making them clear. You really help me on my way to becoming a more intentional photographer, thank you so much!

[@kristiebussler1320]

I'm really liking what you're exploring with your latest black and white photography. I look forward to watching your journey.

[@mvia236]

To better understand light I use my cell phone to take shots of the same scene at different times of day. The scene does not have to be anything special but just be something you pass by often. I have three places that are near me that I like. After you have a few shots you can see how the light affect the scene at different times of the day. Give it a try.

[@ChrisHunt4497]

I like that term active or passive. ❤

[@BenSussmanpro]

Great education & inspiration for us photographers who can’t wake up early for sunrise or are too busy to make the golden hour, lol!

[@creative_cozmic]

Living in the UK where grey dull skies and flat light seem to be the norm for most of the year does make it quite challenging. I have been waiting for the light to get better, less flat and I do feel I need to try to work out how to create meaningful photos when the light isn’t great, how to overcome the dull flat conditions.

[@Anon54387]

I experienced that here in the USA. I live in the western states, and it is so dry so many areas out here that the light has a different quality than the upper midwest. So I was in northern Illinois and there was a cloud about 30 degrees above the horizon when we were out in front of my uncle's house to take a family picture the last day we were there. My uncle was saying take the pic, I was saying we should wait until the sun came from behind that cloud. He said that wouldn't make much difference, but he did humor me. The sun came from behind that cloud and it was still quite dim because of all the humidity in the air. In the west, it would've been brilliant after coming out from behind that cloud. It looked like such a clear day, and even with the sun that far above the horizon the humidity filtered out a lot of the intensity. It surprised me.

[@headoverfeat]

i needed to hear this..been stuck for a while...uninspired..but this video and all the others actually...i needed a different perspective ..thx!!

[@davidtaranzaphotography3324]

Alex, besides you run one of the best educational channels for photographers, I really like how you work with your voice. Very helpful and captivating.

[@MrMWhitham]

Love all your chats. Number 1 channel for photography.

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Alex, this was a really good chat, to work with the light we have as Herb Ritts did. He didn't avoid harsh light. As said Alex to not fight against the light. Thanks 😊

[@Goldmangun]

Simple but so important!

[@gregpantelides1355]

This is amazing, Alex! Thank you!!!!!

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

7:02 I liked that you included the turning towards the camera in that instance. It's less jarring.

[@BigFlexy007]

Loving the dual camera angles with interjection in B&W.. Alex is gold.. thank you sir!

[@timothydalton8023]

Thank you for another very informative and interesting presentation. All of your videos - with you sitting comfortably- and showing examples of what you are speaking of, are highly motivating for me. Great presentation concept. I also like your two camera setup with color and B & W.

[@yaffulwoodpeckerpresents7784]

An excellent talk, as usual.

[@philliphickox4023]

When I use to take wedding photographs, I would try to use the Sun in the afternoon as a rim light for the Bride and Groom. Autumn and Spring were the times the sun was usually in the right position at the time of taking the photo's.

[@georginovakov3281]

Great content again, Alex! Thanks a lot! One question comes to my mind while watching your lovely presentation- is there really any tea or coffee in your mug? If there was even a tiny amount of liquid on the bottom, it would definitely spill around with the brisk gestures you make with the hand in which you hold it....

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Years of practice waving a mug of coffee around! And yes, it is coffee, but only about half full

[@georginovakov3281]

One more thing to admire, Alex, in addition to the very unique and deeply artistic content of your channel! I don't think I could myself balance so well a mug, even half full with coffee!

[@bdv6083]

Where is the coffee cup Karen? Thanks for the continual videos.

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

7:50 Now we do. A smartphone. So, there's no excuse not to practice.

[@daemon1143]

I know right? I get out of bed, have a couple of cups of coffee and go outside: No golden hour. I wrote to the astronomical society about asking them to move it to a reasonable hour, but so far the elitists have done absolutely nothing.

[@user-bg6px5mv5h]

7:14 is me after any human interaction…

[@cuffarophoto]

Empty mug. Disappointed.

[@daviddyephotography]

how often when one goes out to photograph something do we end up upset cause the conditions dont fit our needs instead of finding a way to make what we have work in its own way