LIGHT
Week 2 is about exploration and creating synergy with Light. Seeking and discovering the magic and the relationship between you and the main element of the photo that has the power to make it epic or meaningless. Defining the contrast between light and shadow. There is a collaboration of you with the light source and this will allow for play with your creativity and how you can really make each image that you create shine with more of its uniqueness. With your new found knowledge, you will know intimately how to see the light. No need to be intimidated. This is a play practice and when we get to the end of this exploration you will be able to understand the delicacy of what the light can do and how to allow for it and more importantly, to construct with it.
This part is more experiential and the full use of play. Stay in the curiosity and remember this is a practice, so start where you are and don’t be afraid to fail, because the final outcome is guaranteed to be more successful than the first pass.
SITUATION
Diving in to playing with light, we start with real life scenarios. Ways of relating to light that make sense in relation to the locations that you chose. The goal of this practice is learn how to analyze the situation of your surroundings to create the context. This is an exercise in learning how to see light and so you can create from the knowledge of why this lighting scenario is the one you want.
For this pillar, we define 4 situations that could fit for your photo shoot scenario based on different moods available. Depending on the path that you chose from week 1 will change the perspective of how you relate in each situation. Your creativity is paramount here, as is your ability to let go and have fun. You get to expand your relationship with light and stay curious about the intended outcome. Explore and learn as you go.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Natural Indoor
Natural Outdoor
Artificial Indoor
Artificial Outdoor
PLAY TIME
The situation in your location is the key factor in determining if the spot that you chose has what you need available or if you will have to add additional light to create the look you want. Once you’ve determined an both an indoor and outdoor location, analyze the situation and we will play with both the artificial and natural light available.
DESCRIPTION
For this portion of the PLAY practice the intended result is about creating the mood. Ultimately to master the art of altering mood with lighting, there are a few basic principles. The hardness or softness of light affects the mood dramatically. The more diffused the light is, the softer and smoother it will look. A great example of this, you may have gained in situation. look at a shadow cast by the sun.
On a bright sunny day, the shadow is dark and the edges are very sharp because the sun is a strong, intense light. We call this hard lighting. On an overcast day, the shadows have very little definition and are soft at the edges. This is because a huge diffusion layer of clouds covers the sun. We call this soft lighting. Learning the intricacies of hard vs soft and how to use them is what this pillar is all about.
QUALITIES OF LIGHT
Hard Indoor
Hard Outdoor
Soft Indoor
Soft Outdoor
PLAY TIME
There are two types of locations that we will play in for this exercise. The time of day is an important factor in creating the correct quality of light. Each of the videos gives you an example of finding the correct light and then you get to move around within that.
DIRECTION
With this pillar we get to play with where the light is coming from. The directionality of the light There are 3 main ways that light can come in to the lens. Front light, side light and back light and how and when to use each of them. In learning how to relate to the direction, it’s a dance with getting the right angle. Part of the fun in exploring in this realm is learning which angles are flattering for you face and body. With direction, a big part of the focus is on where the shadow falls.
Depending on your intended outcome, you can work with the light or work with the shadow. The difference can add to the drama or intrigue of the image that you create. Balancing the light and the dark and how you play with the space in between. All the fun or learning the intimate details of how to create more succinct photos.
PLAYING WITH ANGLES
Front
Side 45
Side 90
Back
PLAY TIME
Direction of light can come from 4 angles: front, side- 45 degrees, side 90 degrees and back. Each provide very different effects on how the audience can see you. With this exercise you will document your experience with each direction. Playing with how to achieve flattering light with the contrast that is available.
POSITION
Now we move into a little more experiential action with your relationship to light. Being a trained dancer deeply benefitted my skills as a model. Dancers have a body awareness and connection to lighting because of how it can add to the stage presence. Pieces of choreography can be spotlighted accentuating the action.
This same philosophy is try in highlighting elements of your story. Ultimately with this pillar, you get to play with the actual dance with light. So we simplify the variables and will work with a single, controlled light source and learn how your position in relation to the light can highlight or hide your features and parts. And remember, you can’t do it wrong. Stay curious and just move incrementally to expand the understanding. Turn on some good music and embody the flow. Document as you go so you get the proper reflection of what the light can do.
PLAY TIME
Position is all about the dance, the deepening of the knowledge you gained and the actual application of it to your surroundings. Now that you understand the qualities and angles of light we play with where your body is in relationship to your defined light source. This exercise is expanding
COMING UP
Your relationship with Light has been deepened and you’ve practiced the dance. Each time you create with light, you’ll start to gain even more subtleties and in turn confidence. Inching closer to mastery where the understanding will become inherent and the seeing of the light will become a knowing.
Once you’ve gone through all the exercises with Light, we move on to creating the rest of the frame. Aesthetic is about the details that are included in each photo. Narrowing down the specifics and having a specific plan is all part of the intededed outcome we are creating for your PlayBook.
