Often we've metered the best that we are able...and we think the shutterspeed and aperture are such that we won't get blur, as long as the subject doesn't move...but the image just still looks blurry...this is generally due to not enough light.  

Light can sometimes be our biggest nemesis...especially when we don't have enough of it...

We are coming into the Spring season...where the daylight will stick around longer...however, in this part of the country, it often means rain and just the usual spring weather...which, in turn, keeps us inside...a lot!

I receive the most questions about LIGHT when people start talking photography with me.  If you remember in our Snapshops, we talked about light just a bit (there is even a little page in your booklet about it)  

We discussed just basic things like:

*if you put the light source BEHIND the person, depending on the time of day, faces could be completely shadowed...during a "golden hour" you might get more of a halo, gorgeous glow...regardless, it all depends on where that light is and how it is settling onto your subject.

*If a light source is to the side of a person, you might get those half and half shadows on their skin...but, again, this depends on the strength of the light and whether it is filtered through clouds or the time of day...

There is so much to consider when trying to capture just the right moment...

~You are trying to determine the part of the story that you want to showcase (character, setting, details...etc)

~You are choosing the best "frame" for the picture (principle of thirds, close up, angle up or down....etc)

~You are then asking your camera to measure the light on your subject while simultaneously determining how much bokeh you'd like, as it coincides with your shutterspeed (whether you've got a moving kiddo) all the while making sure you don't get too much grain with ISO...

WHEW!!!  That's a LOT to think about all at once!!!

AND THEN...before all this even takes place, you've got to determine your light source...

the color of the light (sun, lamp, window, reflecting off walls)

the angle of the light (straight overhead, filtered through clouds, setting in the sky)

the strength of the light (time of day, size of window or doorwall, lightbulb)

All these things factor in when you are determining where to take a picture...

Let's spend a little time with "indoor light" for the sake of this blog post :) 

Where are the best places in your home that give you the best light for a photo?

How can you set yourself up for SUCCESS when we're stuck inside this spring?

1. WINDOWS: near windows are sometimes the best places to get pictures in our homes...however, as I mentioned above, you still have to consider the strength and angle of the sun coming through at any particular time of day.  You wouldn't want to sit your child in the area of the most intense light on a bright, sunny day.  You'd want to find the area where the light becomes softer versus harsh.

2. SHEER CURTAINS: Have you ever seen softboxes in a studio?  Sheer curtains act like a soft box...they can be a great backdrop for a photo, especially on days when the sun is most harsh streaming through the windows.  

3. OPEN DOORS:  we practiced a bit in front of the open door in my home at the Ohio Snapshops. However, you need to follow the same guidelines as with windows with regards to strength and angle of light streaming in, otherwise, you get too harsh of light hitting faces and it looks similar to sitting outside at noon with squinty eyes.  Open doors are also great for silhouettes (if you wanted to practice increasing that shutterspeed to make your subject DARK, but allowing the light to be seen...if you want to completely blow OUT the light in the door, you would make your shutterspeed slower...however, the slower you go, the more light you allow on your subject and it isn't as much of a silhouette at that point.

4. LAMPS: using lamps as your light source can be tricky, especially with the color of the light...things have more of a yellow glow to them...I would use this for a dramatic look...like a candlelight service at Christmas...these are photos that you are focusing in on a detail or the subject's face...not so much the setting or action taking place...your ISO will need to be higher and your image will take on a warmer tone.

5. REFLECTIVE WALLS, COUNTERTOPS, TUBS: Anything that is white or light colored will reflect light...I get much better lighting in my music room which has light khaki walls and cream carpet as opposed to my kitchen with my bright red wall and cherry wood floor & furniture.  

(see images above for that "reflective" light as well...the walls were yellow...combined with the ceiling lights, the "color" was definitely warmer in these situations)

These are just examples of situations that I've had "low light" OR I've been stuck indoors and wanted to still capture a moment.  Once I know what I'm working with, I can figure out my storytelling options and work with the light & my camera settings to get the best image...