How to photograph "light"

chauncey, I've read the same thing recently about seeing the light and I think I may be *just* starting to get it. What has really helped me is watching light (sunlight and artificial light) ALL the time, and seeing how it changes places, the sky, faces, everything. Not just when I'm out shooting, but throughout my entire day. I look at how my surroundings change throughout the day. And people in particular - I've been watching how they look differently depending on which way they're facing, looking up, looking down, facing a window, away from a window, etc. So, even if I don't have my camera with me, I think about how I'd use it if it was with me.

I sound like someone in a long-distance relationship. :o

I'm also much more aware of light and color now than in the past.

Sounds like we belong in one of those dingbat California self-help groups.

chauncey wrote in post #5650098
I have played around with blending and HDR in CS3 Frank, sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.

I got the point airfrogusmc and I appreciate your followup. BTW, your signature, retired seal?

No CH-46 crewchief Marines. We always effectionately called them phrogs. 4 years was all I served.

chauncey wrote in post #5651517
I'm also much more aware of light and color now than in the past.

Sounds like we belong in one of those dingbat California self-help groups.

All we need now is a big group hug



Keep it up Chauncey. The more you do it the better you get at it. I don't think any photographer ever quits studying and learning it. And the bonus, its FUN...

A good way ive found to learn is by using the same scene and trying it over a range of different times and days.

Any scene will look massively diferent at sunrise, midday and sunset. The difference is the quantity and quality of light. What actually suits the photograph is up to the photographer and thats the hard thing to learn to see!

Am i too late for the group hug?