The Harsh Light thread

[Sushigaijin]

Us nature nuts are subject to a few things that studio photographers sometimes fail to explore - for instance, the variability of natural light. Since we often chase light, rather than create it, we must make compromises to get the shot we are looking for - and sometimes the shot we are looking for is totally dictated by the light itself! For me, this is a fun aspect of nature and wildlife photography. I have a lot of reptile friends who shoot with a million off-camera flashes, and seek to shoot perfect field-guide photos and nothing else - but I'm always happier working with what nature throws me. With that in mind, lets see some of your lighting compromises - perhaps working in muted light, or harsh light, or dappled light...you get the idea. I'll start!!

[Loupey]

Neat idea. But I think just about every shot I take would fall into this category since I rarely use strobes or diffusers anymore.

I too prefer the unflashed/unfilled "real world" images. Embrace the shadows! It does exist in the real world

[Canon_Bob]

Here are a couple of my favorite "bad light angle" images:





One thing I would say, however, is that everyone should learn to properly use a flash. A flash done properly can create some magnificent images that trying to work bad natural light would have missed. An example here is this grasshopper....I shot this in the middle of the night!:

[slayer7124]

Even in "bad light" your pictures still look amazing CB.

[AgingEyes]

All pics in my recent posts were shot under harsh light condition. With 15 hours of sunshine everyday, not a whole lot of choices there.

[Sushigaijin]

beautiful shots, CB. I think the shadows and highlights add drama, despite losing some of the anatomical nature of photography...

[AgingEyes]

What else but another harsh light shot :cryin:

[AgingEyes]

It's so bright that your eyes gonna hurt

[panthrcat]

what an interesting thread,, regardless of harsh light, the pictures are amazing!

[Lori11]

The outside rocks. I would rather shoot outside any day no matter the light or weather! Beautiful work guys :thumbsup:

[Sushigaijin]

Nice shots, AE. I've been meaning to try swallows in flight too.



And I definitely agree about proper use of flash - I've used it extensively, but still prefer the impact of natural light shots.

Flashed to calm shadows in mid-day light:

[slayer7124]