Twenty Five Outstanding Uses of Light :: Digital Photo Secrets
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Twenty Five Outstanding Uses of Light

by David Peterson 1 comment

The difference between a good photo and an outstanding photo can often be found in the light. As you look at these examples of images that make good use of light, think about how each one might have looked if the light had been flat, or hard, or coming from a different direction.

Think about how it might have looked if it was photographed at a different time of day. These images are outstanding because the photographer waited for the perfect light, or he/she made adjustments to the light that transformed the image from ordinary to amazing. "Seeing" light the way these photographers do is a skill, and once you learn how, you'll find that your portfolio will start to fill with images that look just as amazing as these do.


[ Top image "Light on the Moon" Mt. Bromo, Indonesia ~ Travel ~ Volcano ~ Asia ~ Lightroom ~ D700 by Flickr user Dan Ballard Photography]

  • Canon PowerShot A590 IS
  • 100
  • f/5.5
  • 0.004 sec (1/250)
  • 23.2 mm

Rain or Shine Surfers Make Their Rounds, Torrey Pines Cliffs, San Diego, California by Flickr user moonjazz

  • Nikon D80
  • 100
  • f/4.5
  • 0.004 sec (1/250)
  • 78 mm

Bokeh of Lavender ....... by Flickr user Bruce Kerridge

  • Canon EOS 40D
  • 100
  • f/22.0
  • 0.5
  • 10 mm

Abandoned by Flickr user mortenprom

  • Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
  • 1600
  • f/4.5
  • 0.006 sec (1/160)
  • 70 mm

CIA Cristina Rocha - Ballet by Flickr user Marcelo Seixas


    New York Evening by Flickr user Stuck in Customs

    • Nikon D2Xs
    • 100
    • f/5.6
    • 0.017 sec (1/60)
    • 20 mm

    Meditation Chamber by Flickr user Stuck in Customs


    A Brush With Heaven (in color) by Flickr user DMac 5D Mark II



    Krampnitz abandoned military base by Flickr user andre govia.



    Sway ***EXPLORED! (#329) - 11/21/10*** by Flickr user DMac 5D Mark II


    • Nikon D700
    • 200
    • f/7.1
    • 0.004 sec (1/250)
    • 340 mm

    Linee di foschia by Flickr user fotomassimo


    Winterlight by Flickr user Pink Sherbet Photography



    Sunny Feeling by Flickr user Slavin@ (back)


    • Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS
    • 400
    • f/5.0
    • 1/4000 sec
    • 45 mm

    STANDING IN A BEAM OF LIGHT by Flickr user michaeljohnsimages


    Hong Kong - Stunning City View from Victoria Peak (Tai Ping Shan) at Dusk by Flickr user © Lucie Debelkova / www.luciedebelkova.com


    • Nikon D80
    • 100
    • f/25.0
    • 5
    • 105 mm

    Sunshine came softly through my window today ..... by Flickr user Bruce Kerridge

    • Nikon D50
    • 1600
    • f/11.0
    • 30
    • 18 mm

    Golden Moonlight Ambience by Flickr user :: Igor Borisenko Photography ::


      magic moon by Flickr user ulli_p


      Belief-has-no-boundaries հավատքը չունի սահմաններ by Flickr user Sako Tchilingirian


      • Nikon D5000
      • 640
      • f/1.6
      • 0.006 sec (1/160)
      • 50 mm

      Grote Markt - Bruxelas by Flickr user Richard Morais

      • Nikon D700
      • f/5.0
      • 0.067 sec (1/15)

      "Illuminate" by Flickr user Dan Ballard Photography

      • Nikon D700
      • f/8.0
      • 0.003 sec (1/320)

      "Dance of Light and Sand" Colorado~Dunes~National Park~Landscape~Photography by Flickr user Dan Ballard Photography

      • Canon EOS 40D
      • 100
      • f/8.0
      • 0.004 sec (1/256)
      • 20 mm

      Mother of Sun by Flickr user Kugarth


      NYE Spectacular #3 (Explore) by Flickr user Ray Warren


      • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
      • 400
      • f/8.0
      • 0.008 sec (1/125)
      • 190 mm

      C'est un petit pas d'Homme, avec une lumière géante pour l'humanité. parc monceau Paris by Flickr user '^_^ D.F.N. Damail ^_^'

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      Comments

      1. Lois says:
        Oct 22, 2016

        Wonderful collection of different kinds of light.

        Reply

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      Difficulty:
      Beginner
      Length:
      2 minutes
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