As photographers, we’re ingrained to look for light-filled locations to take crisp and well-exposed photos. And as photographers…we often leave the camera untouched when we don’t find that kind of light! However, all you need is a small pocket to work with and a willingness to embrace low light photography, low key exposures and, sometimes, hard light shadows.
The result? Really dynamic and dramatic imagery.
This week’s highlights reel of images from our CLG community comes courtesy of our Documenting Family Life Creative Workshop which is currently underway. We’ve gathered a handful of images to inspire you to seek out less light (crazy, I know!!) and really play with it…
As beginners, we’re always taught to avoid hard light because it’s harsh and unflattering to our subjects. But look for interesting patterns in pockets of light to level up your compositions.
Emma Davis, Advanced Graduate
Expose the highlights for a perfect balance of shadows and highlights.
Related: How to Shoot in Manual Mode
Related: Shadow photography – Embracing Hard Light
Emma Davis, Advanced Graduate
Don’t avoid small pockets of light just because the light will fall unevenly over your subject’s face when you place them in it. In this low light photo, it’s not jarring or unflattering and, in fact, has added interest. Also, note the shadow behind her, adding an extra layer to this beautiful capture.
Jessica Skarlupka, Advanced Graduate
The light in this shot is coming from up higher than Esme’s subject, which has illuminated her right eye and created a fabulous triangle-shaped splash of light on her right cheek.
And speaking of shadows, check out those lashes! As mentioned above, when shooting low light photography with bright highlights, always expose for the highlights to avoid blown, overly bright splashes of jarring light.
Esme Matthews, Advanced Graduate
Keep your eye out for warm afternoon light streaming through windows, and the next time all the planets align — aka animals and kids! — pop someone in it!
Related: Black and White Aesthetic – Capturing Mood in Monochrome
Angela McIntyre, Advanced Graduate
One of the best things about doorway light is the darkness beyond creates a perfect backdrop from which your subject can pop.
Related: Doorways for Natural Light Portraits
Beth Hays, Graduate
Trying to shoot low light photography but got reluctant toddlers or kids who never.stop.moving long enough to take a good shot? Give them something to do.
Related: A Fun Portrait Project with a Toddler
Nicole Suter-Johnson, Advanced Graduate
Sara Sparrey, Advanced Graduate
When you side light your subject with window light in a dark or low lit room, you create beautiful directional shadows which provide more dynamic and dramatic light.
Related: Easy Dramatic Light Portraits
Becca Lord-Lyon, Advanced Graduate
Kirsty Nealon, Advanced Graduate
I’m the first to admit I avoid taking low light portraits of my kids indoors at night when I need to use artificial light sources. Overhead light bulbs are the same as shooting photography in the full midday sun as they create the same kind of shadows — but worse! This is because they also cause some horribly funky white balance issues.
But try lighting them using a source that’s down lower, such as a lamp around eye level, with a low wattage bulb so you can avoid really jarring shadows.
Danielle Dahtler, Graduate
Jessica Skarlupka, Advanced Graduate
Low light pockets aren’t limited to the indoors. If you want to shoot beautiful landscape photography, head outdoors just before sunset and look for those long warm shadows on the ground.
Related: Golden Hour Photo Tips
Kirsty Nealon, Advanced Graduate
Head into the forest where the only natural light you can find are small pockets, and wait until your subject looks up into it. This way, you’ll get a low key image with a beautifully illuminated face.
Sue Thorn, Advanced Graduate
If you have some west-facing windows, set up an activity next to the window, then wait until the last moments before sunset to grab some indoor silhouette shots.
Related: How to Take Silhouette Photos
Kirsty Nealon, Advanced Graduate
Backlight your subject in a dark room and look for halos as the light catches the edges of their hair and features.
Related: Surprising Ways to Use Backlight in Photos
Pam Thorne-Gosenheimer, Advanced Graduate
Suyong Pak, Advanced Graduate
Lisa O’Doherty, Graduate
I hope you enjoyed this fabulous low light photography collection from our current workshop students! We hope it has inspired you to get out and look for little pockets of light!
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