In the previous article, we had enlisted 9 special effects that can be achieved with lighting. Here’s a collection of the special effects achieved by creatively using the lights; either as backlight for the glowing effect or for rendering the vintage look by employing the bright daylight. It is truly said that light makes or breaks the photographs. And I would like to add one more thing to it — the light defines the quality and mood of the image. Understanding the basic concepts of lighting thus comes in handy for capturing the effects you want. Check out the list and refer to the article on lighting effects to see how these effects are reproduced. Each of the examples below makes creative use of the lights — natural or artificial. Follow the commentary to better understand the lighting effects.
- Sweet (Good use of backlighting and shallow depth of field)
- Inconsolable (the low angle of sun’s light adds beautiful glowing effect)
- Downtown Dayton BW (reflections and sunstars make this image unique)
- I Will Hold On Hope (dreamy, hazy vintage look achieved by using the fast lenses)
- Water Games (backlight magic and silhouetted subject make it an interesting image)
- Backlight (one more silhouette with smoothly blurred background)
- LED Painting (creative use of slow shutter speed to capture the light painting)
- Alex – Flower In Her Hair (an example of shooting in the sun with fill flash)
- Yellow Flower (complimentary colors dominate the scene)
- Window Dreams (wow, magical appeal of window light is just awesome)
- Sole Survivor (the prime lenses can really help you in creating beautiful bokehs; bokehs look great in b&w as well)
- When I Grow Up (subtle light streaks and hair glow effect add an element of interest in this image)
- Lighting At It’s Best (shooting during the golden magic hour can really be rewarding)
- Star Of Wonder (wow wonderful reflection of the sun’s light)
- Light Of Soul (natural light is truly magical)
- Red Cyclamen (photographing the flowers with a difference; illuminating the flower with backlight)
- Concert Stage (tricky low light photography)
- High ISO Light Of The Moon (boosting the ISO in low light can help you create moody grainy effect)
- Mystical Silhouette (a good example of blue hour photography)
- The Day Of The Triffids (streaming light streaks)
- International Vuuwerk Festival (photographing fireworks is just like photographing the source of light)
- Lost (selective lighting)
- Shandi Lee (beautiful lens flare)
- Hacienda Alberca B&W (highlighting the texture with sidelighting)
- Steamy Cold (just like cool sunstars, you can employ various aperture effects for some interesting photographs)
- B&w Branches (amazing example of highlights and shadows)
- Light Painting (one of the creative shutter speed effects)
- Arctic Monkeys (low light band photography example)
How do you employ the various lighting techniques?
You’ve definitely have a stellar array of photographs in this post.
It has everything from creative backlighting to an outstanding use of narrow depth of field (and some macro thrown in for good measure).
I’ve always found that black & white images have more impact. To me it seems the absence of color minimizes distractions but enhances the subject of the photograph. Water Games (5) and Sole Survivor (11) are perfect examples (and it doesn’t hurt that they were extremely well backlit.
Then of course there’s the exception (there’s always an exception!) and that would be Light of The Soul (15). I love how the rich golden color of the surrounding walls give the overall image a “richness” that speaks volumes about the light beaming down from the heavens.
I’m sure it would look pretty cool as black and white too.