Open Shade?

I don't understand this term--someone posts about looking for open shade that has good light; it sounds contradictory to me. Could someone explain, please?

Open shade would be a nice shady location that is still fairly bright. A shady spot under some trees or the shady side of a building would be some common examples.

jra wrote in post #9304635
Open shade would be a nice shady location that is still fairly bright. A shady spot under some trees or the shady side of a building would be some common examples.

Thanks!

Lots of good articles on the net -
http://www.google.com …aphing+open+sha​de&spell=1

You can make your own with either a sheet of white rip-stop nylon, a pop up tent or a really big friend that can stand in the way of the sun.

I love shooting in natural light... so I use my front porch a lot.... It is covered wtih concrete.... and the sky beyond the porch towards the street is very sunny.. so the light bounces off the concrete into the porch area... and then bounces off the side walls of the patio and the top of the patio...

The result is a softly lit photograph... with really nice catchlights in the eyes of the subject. I place the kids at the very edge, just where the shadow line begins... so the sun doesn't directly hit them...

Here's an example.. I hope it makes sense...

Kristy wrote in post #9309516
I love shooting in natural light... so I use my front porch a lot.... It is covered wtih concrete.... and the sky beyond the porch towards the street is very sunny.. so the light bounces off the concrete into the porch area... and then bounces off the side walls of the patio and the top of the patio...

The result is a softly lit photograph... with really nice catchlights in the eyes of the subject. I place the kids at the very edge, just where the shadow line begins... so the sun doesn't directly hit them...

Here's an example.. I hope it makes sense...

What a gorgeous photo! Yes, that helps me understand, thank you!

solinger wrote in post #9308902
You can make your own with either a sheet of white rip-stop nylon, a pop up tent or a really big friend that can stand in the way of the sun.

My husband is pretty big...he could bring some major shade!

egordon99 wrote in post #9305477
Lots of good articles on the net -
http://www.google.com …aphing+open+sha​de&spell=1

That really helped. Think I've got it now! Well, I've got the concept, we'll see if I can make the application.

Basically, if the subject, in the shade, can look straight up & see an unobstructed view of the sky then they're in Open Shade.

Tixeon wrote in post #9317542
Basically, if the subject, in the shade, can look straight up & see an unobstructed view of the sky then they're in Open Shade.

Ok, that's a good tip to help me determine it. So does the wall or whatever is in front of the subject have to have sunlight hitting it, to reflect back onto the subject's face, or is that just something that will determine how much catchlight will be in the eyes?

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #9310085
My husband is pretty big...he could bring some major shade!

HEY! Us persons of size resent being used as lighting accessories!

Michelle Brooks Photography wrote in post #9320270
Ok, that's a good tip to help me determine it. So does the wall or whatever is in front of the subject have to have sunlight hitting it, to reflect back onto the subject's face, or is that just something that will determine how much catchlight will be in the eyes?

No, it does not. However, reflected light can be used drastically change an open shade image. One should experiment.

Open shade is simply a nice sunny day with the subject in the shade. Basically, the light is from the sky, so it's slightly bluish. That's why there's an "open shade" white balance setting. There are no shadows to speak of because the subject is already in the shadow of whatever is making the shade.

20droger wrote in post #9320405
No, it does not. However, reflected light can be used drastically change an open shade image. One should experiment.

Open shade is simply a nice sunny day with the subject in the shade. Basically, the light is from the sky, so it's slightly bluish. That's why there's an "open shade" white balance setting. There are no shadows to speak of because the subject is already in the shadow of whatever is making the shade.

Ok, I've got it! Thanks so much!
...so much to learn...so little brain activity....

20droger wrote in post #9320368
HEY! Us persons of size resent being used as lighting accessories!

Believe me, if I'm bringing some money in, my husband gets over his resentment real fast!