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Light in Photography -   LIGHTING - Sunlight - Weather - effect of weather conditions on light

Atmospheric conditions also play a part - For instance, as rain falls to the earth, the drops pick up dusts and pollen partials in the atomsphere and brings them to the ground. So often after a a heavy rain when the sun comes out - the air is much cleaner and clear. Some photographers like this time to take images. However - as long dry period of hot weather extends the dust and pollen etc can build up creating a haze.

 

Clouds break up the light and scatter it in many directions, and different types of clouds effect light in different ways.


The quality of sun light alters with the amount of cloud cover in the sky.  A direct sun in a clear sky will produce light that has a strong contrast with some areas of the subject fully light while other areas fall into full shadow. As the cloud cover increases the light becomes more diffuse with the light broken up by the cover and reaching the subject from numerous directions; the difference or ratio between the shadows and high lights becomes more equal. A fully overcast sky produces the most even light.

 

 

 

Bright direct sunlight creates strong bold contrast with little information in the shadows.

Soft diffuse light produces even lighting

Here we see direct sunlight on the eroded dunes at Lake Mungo - the bright highlights where the sun strikes the top of the eroded ribs while the recess is in deep shadow - the effect is dramatic and suggests the erosion is deeper than in the image on the right.

In this image of the same formations, the light is flat and the eroded ribs are less dramatic .Notice also how each stack tends to blend with the others.

 

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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