Light in nature can be amazing and it can also be awful. Sometime it needs a bit of artificial adjustments, sometimes you just need to find the right shade. In this new upload to my channel we take a quick walk in the woods and talk about using the natural light and surroundings to our advantage.
Improved 09/28/15: Getting it right in camera is easier than fixing it later. I hate it when I get in a hurry and overlook these simple principles and it comes up a lot in my workshops. I’ve learned there’s always something we can improve if we set aside ego, be honest and focus on craft.
The rules of art are universal to any style or any experience level. Rules can be broken, but they act as guides to help us stay on track; we should break them only for with reason. Here’s some powerful tips I’ve learned over many years. I’m also adding related links to a LOT of FREE content and videos that go more in depth. These powerful reminders will only take a few minutes, but will leave you with proven ideas that last a lifetime.
Have ONE primary subject. Everything else should be supporting cast.
Omit needless objects. If they don’t add to a photo, kick them out.
Light & Tone are king. Understand exposure, tones and zones (video)
Use SPACE. I see so many images that would be great not so crowded by the frame.
Think of light as liquid. Watch where it goes; know how it flows (more).
What surrounds a tone changes how to see it. Regardless of it’s actual value.
SHARPNESS is only as far away as a tripod, good focus and good planning (more).
There’s only 3 ways to get great light. Take it, make it, or wait for it! (video)
In portraits set the pose. Then watch those EYES to capture the soul.
Exposure is simple as 2+2, doubles & halves. Understand the STOP (more).
When harsh sun is a problem. Wait for the light, or find that golden shade.
Think about the shadows; without shadow, we don’t see light. (video).
You can’t fake it! Use that sunrise/sunset magic hour whenever you can.
LINES lead the eye. Pay attention to where they go and how they intersect.
All I need is that one image that conveys everything I want to say. To I take the time to get it right.
Flat light is usually boring. Look for ratios and 3 dimensional light.
Take time to LOOK AGAIN at your subject BEFORE releasing the shutter.
Study history. Photography has 150+ years of it to make you a better artist.
Getting it right in camera is always easier than fixing it in post.
Change how you see making exposures LONG. Don’t forget an ND filter & tripod.
If you can’t something something wrong in your best photo. Look again & learn.
Just stop… Slow down, refine, simplify and visualize (video).
Taking my time to examine the pose, the eye contact and the details of a portrait may give me less frames, but always gives me better results.
If you want to take it further subscribe to our newsletter below and check out the workshops tab above. Take the time to learn it right and you will improve faster than you ever imagined. — Gav
Gavin with Ken Whitmire, the Ansel Adams of wall portraits at WPC 2013.
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Are You Selling Better?
Here’s our special Seim Effects video for May 2013. I just returned from a week at Wall Portrait Conference. It’s my 5th year and the principles I learned here changed my entire career. I wanted to record a quick overview of ideas while it”s fresh in my mind. To share a bit of what I have learned and what I plan to apply further this year as I sell more wall prints.
These ideas come from hundreds of years of combined experience. I am not the master of marketing, but I have seen these principles work when applied correctly. I barley scratch the surface here, but here’s hoping this video will get you inspired to raise the bar and go further. I hope to see you at a future Wall Portrait Conference.
Gavin Seim
Want to learn more about using light and making images for walls? Check out my complete films including EXposed, a workshop about all things light and exposure. Also take a look at PHOTOGRAPHICS. My new film on Art, History and Photographic Craft. You can pre-order it now and save.
Gavin is headed out for a portrait and looking to make a single powerful image. lets talk about planing and building a mindset for the “photo” rather than “the photos”.
Photo Couch is the companion podcast of Gavin’s f164 project. Sort of an audio journal. Nothing fancy here. Just short musings, tips, and thoughts on photography. You can listen below, or subscribe for free and get all the latest episodes. If you want more, you can also check out Gavin’s full podcast, Pro Photo Show.
It seems the months of work were worth it. It’s finished and the new EXPosed series is now available as a download or a DVD. It’s like no workshop you’ve seen and it can take your photography to a whole new level. But rather than listen to us chatter on, just take a peek at the trailer. EXposed is as good as it looks and it’s finally available. Don’t forget to use code PPS when you pick up your copy. It will save you 15%.