The Magic of Lighting

As a photographer in training, one of the first things I was taught was that no image can be captured without light.

I was like "duh."  But the truth of the statement sank deeper and I thought about it a lot more as the weeks progressed and I was playing, shaping, caressing, toying, experimenting with light.  Oh yes, I also cursed it and its fickle ways, but I knew it was a tool that was constant as math, and sometimes just as frustrating and confusing.

I learned a bit about the absence of light as well - I believe that's something more to be explored, but the appearance of something can be just as dramatic as its non-appearance.  "negative space" as it's called.

I'm hoping that as these weeks go on that i refine my shaping of light, and constrain it some - enough- to make images that are not only alluring, appealing and interesting - but memorable as well.

Lighting Class' Product Shoot.  This was supposed to have had specific
criteria as far as background gradation and lighting on the products.

Lighting Class' Silverware Shoot. Trying to light very shiny objects without
getting 'hot spots' with the light and blowing out the edges is tough.

Lighting Class' Texture Shoot.  This was a lesson in directional lighting
to capture the textures of the objects lit.  Directional lighting is key,
and shadowing plays a huge part.  I kinda missed the mark a bit on this,
but I learned a lot in the process.

Lighting Class' Glassware Shoot.  This is mostly to get the
idea that backlit objects can be not only beautiful, but
practical in its execution.

Lighting Class' Glassware Shoot.  This is extra credit work.
We had to come up with some alternative lighting styles
to light glass in a pleasing way.