Embracing Harsh, Contrasty Light: Part 2 – Photo Premium

We have another Photo Premium tutorial exclusively available to Premium members today. Simon Plant discusses how to embrace high contrast lighting situations rather than attempting to overcome them, and the idea that no light is bad light. Learn more at the jump!

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Many tutorials deal with extending the tonal ranges of cameras using reflectors, fill flash and HDR-exposure blending software. They discuss shooting at dawn or dusk and avoiding harsh light. In this video tutorial, Simon discusses his view that no light is bad light and shows how to embrace harsh summer light and the contrast that is often inherit in it.

Shooting in the hard midday light of Summer is not often advised or used for location photography without supplementary lighting or other photographic tricks. Simon shows how with a bit of care we can use the excessive contrast often found in these conditions to produce dynamic images. He discusses exposure and why it’s important to still try to get the best exposure capture possible even though we are expecting and allowing shadows to go dark.

In Part 2, we fine tune our second image. After tackling a less than straight horizon, Simon then discusses the main focal point in the image. He makes several adjustments to help strengthen this and add further add impact. Along the way Simon offers several tips and techniques, plus a warning about posterization.

And much, much more.

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