Setting the Stage: Lighting Your Subject (Part I)

Light is the most important aspect of photography, hands down. A photographic image is a recording of light, so without it, you won't have any pictures to show for your work. Your choice in lighting can change the mood and message of your images, so it's very important to keep it in mind when you're working.

Always be sure to do tests and check your progress. There's nothing worse than to shoot a long session, and realize that the lighting was inadequate or simply wrong.

In this particular post, I will address the basics of some of the most common kinds of light that you have available when shooting photos.

Photo of the Day: Piercing the Clouds

Piercing the Clouds, a photo by kate.ruggeri on Flickr.

This is one of my favorites from Saturday! This is the Chevron building downtown, formerly the Enron building (whoops).

Really great group of structures around the donut, there. Need more practice, but I could really grow to like architectural photos.

Got in contact with my friend Courtney today to plan another photo shoot, this time lolita-focused. Should be a good batch of images, if all goes well!

Photo of the Day: Tumult

Tumult, a photo by kate.ruggeri on Flickr.

Went out yesterday with a friend of mine from the Katy Photo group (the very talented Tom Haymes) to take some architectural/urban shots in downtown Houston. I got some good images, and had a good time learning some new things!

Still working on the articles-in-progress, however. A friend has commissioned me to do some site design and illustration work for him, so things have been busy!

How are all of you doing today? Enjoying your Easter?

... if you celebrate, that is.

Photo of the Day: zzz

zzz, a photo by kate.ruggeri on Flickr.

Well! Working on getting the last details and kinks worked out of a post on lighting, which should be up tonight or tomorrow.

I work tonight, like the busy bee that I am, but it's a short shift and should go easily. Wednesday nights are rarely anything to get fussy over, though I may be the one setting the ad tonight. I can't recall. Last time, it was a very large ad--our monthly change over--and required 4 people to get it out in a timely fashion.

I should be able to handle a small one on my own, right?

Photo of the Day: Little Butterflies

Little Butterflies, a photo by kate.ruggeri on Flickr.

While I took some photos today for the blog (and EGL's transformation theme), they're still in the process of being edited before they can be posted. I watched a webinar by Wacom today, which gave me some ideas for ways to better utilize my tablet in editing my photos. Previously, I mostly used it to make selections and to draw, now I've managed to figure out how to use the size jitter function to make better edits.

This is new step for me! And I feel foolish for not having discovered it sooner.

But.

So.

Well.

Another photo from this year's Japan Fest while I do my other editing! Enjoy!