Focus On Lighting Photos Focus on the Fundamentals.pdf

The photo above was taken in
early evening and converted to
black and white. This photographer
used a 30-second exposure
to allow for some movement
in the clouds. The star effect
is a natural result of the light
reflecting from the lens aperture
blades. We don’t have a lot of
control over when this happens
or whether it’s a “good” or “bad”
effect. Still, if we decide it’s bad,
we can usually remedy it.
When the effect is bad, it usually
appears as flare coming from
a too-bright light just outside of
the camera view. We can block
that with a black card (gobo) or
even with a hand or hat. When
we want the effect, but don’t see
it, we can add a cross-screen or
star filter to the lens. Or if we do
not want a very sharp picture,
sometimes a piece of metal (not
plastic) window screen over the
lens can get the same star effect,
plus a bit of diffusion.
But enough of this outdoor
photography! As we write it’s
starting to get cold outside, so
let’s move on to something we
can more often do indoors:
portraiture.
Sunlight 105