a Photographic Saga

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Photography and Light

November 21, 2008 | Learning Series | 530 views

Photography anyone?

Photography is the process, activity and art of creating still or moving pictures by recording radiation on a sensitive medium, such as a film, or an electronic sensor. Light patterns reflected or emitted from objects activate a sensitive chemical or electronic sensor during a timed exposure, usually through a photographic lens in a device known as a camera that also stores the resulting information chemically or electronically.

The word “photography” comes from the Greek phos “light” and graphis “stylus”, “paintbrush” or graphê “representation by means of lines” or “drawing”, together meaning “drawing with light.” Traditionally, the products of photography have been called negatives and photographs, commonly shortened to photos. (source: wikipedia)

Light, what is it?

With all the technicalities and history above, it boils down to the a basic element – LIGHT. Without light, you cannot make photographs.

I won’t be talking more about the quantum physics of light, a bit technical, yes, but at least you get something that might be useful when you click your camera.

The light we see with our naked eye is only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum typically with the wavelengths from about 400 to 700nm, which is called the visible spectrum. Where 400nm is near the ultraviolet portion and the 700nm is close to infrared.

When light is dispersed by a prism, water or any refracting medium, just remember ROYGBIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) or simply the colors we see from a rainbow.

The spectrum however does not have all the color our eyes and brain can distinguish. Pink, purple, magenta or other unsaturated colors are only made by mixing multiple wavelengths.

On Colors

Colors are categorized into groups or orders. RED, YELLOW and BLUE are primary order colors. GREEN, ORANGE, and VIOLET are in the secondary order.

Primary colors

Red is a strong color, it subconsciously denotes warning this is why even a small red can divert a viewers interest. It also gives a boost by increasing enthusiasm and stimulates energy.

Canon 40D, EF 35mm, f8, 1/125, iso100

Tuna Sashimi Block from Pacific Seas

Yellow is mentally stimulating. It is the brightest color and it conveys happiness, enlightenment and optimism. Yellow screams for attention, this is why pencils are colored with it so it will be easier to find on your desk. Pure yellows in nature are hard to find except maybe on flowers.

Canon 40D, EF 35mm, f8, 1/125, iso100

Colored eggs

Blue almost immediately defines the color of our planet Earth, the seas and the sky. It is an almost constant color that we encounter almost every single day. It calms us by conveying restfulness and relaxation. It is also a collective favorite color. Other shades of blues however, like brilliant blue and deep blue can be dramatic and dynamic.

Canon 20D EF10-22 @ 10mm, f10, 1/500, iso100

Beach near the pier at Siquijor, Siquijor Province

Secondary colors

Green is only second to blue as the favorite color. It is predominant in the natural world as it is the color of grass and vegetation. It is also considered the color of ecology and peace. It is mentally relaxing and soothing by conveying harmony and nature.

Canon 40D, EF 10-22mm, 3 frames stitched

Panoramic view going to PRO12 (2008). Tambler, Gen. Santos City, Mindanao

Orange is one of the dominant colors of sunrises and sunsets. This occurs when the sun is just over the horizon, the red color travels longer and penetrates the atmosphere more than the blue and violet color of the spectrum, while being disperse in the sky, orange is obvious result. Orange also stimulates appetite and radiates energy. Some shades of orange such as rust and soil have a broader influence.

Canon 20D, EF 70-200 @ 70mm f4, 1/160s, iso400

Sunset over Celebes Sea (2006). Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao

Violet is calming and gives a sense of mystery.  It is not very common in nature  though during sunrise or sunsets, reds and blues mix producing this color.

Canon 20D, EF 10-22 @ 14mm f22, 3s, iso100

Rockies (2007). David’s Wall, Davao City, Mindanao

A few conclusions

In photography, the key thing in taking a good photograph is the quality of light. Many ask this question “I’ve been in that same exact spot, but why are my photographs not as good as yours?”

My best photographs are usually taken during sunrise, sunset or just after the rain. During these times the light of the sun are much more refracted and spread by the atmosphere, this is why the color of sunrises and sunsets are simply beautiful and attracts more attention.

Landscape photography can be a tricky business. You have to be on the spot, ready with your camera (and tripod whenever possible) and with a little bit of luck, then hopefully you can go home smiling with one or two good photographs for a few hours of shoot. We may think landscaping needs patience and but more often you need to decide fast. Most of the time, I scamper a bit to transfer to a nearby location or change settings just to catch a good exposure of the ever changing lighting condition.

Canon 20D, Canon EF 70-200mm @ 122mm, f11, 1/400s, iso100

Fishermen (2007). Siquijor, Siquijor Province, Philippines

Don’t focus too much in the technical aspects of the camera like changing lenses and everything just because you think at that moment you need a long or a wide lens to have a good shot, simply put, what you see right now becomes the ‘past’ in a moment. I shoot with what I have in hand. If I feel a particular scene demands attention then click my camera with my heart’s content.

© Leonard Pe, 2008

Related topics:

1. Photography: my Passion, my Journey
2. SarGen’s Light
3. Strawberry
4. Wastelands
5. Basic Photography Workshop – November 2009