Picture This

Picture This!
Directional Light

Shutterbug Staff  |  Mar 1, 2005

There's an adage in photography that if you're not sure how to deal with the light just turn 90Þ from the source and shoot away, taking advantage of the way light shapes the subject as it streaks along a plane. Our assignment for Picture This! was directional light, and readers responded with images that played with light in many imaginative ways. As these pictures show, shadows also play an important role in defining subjects and creating a sense of depth and space within the frame.

Soft Pastel At Sunset: This photographer sent in a host of beautiful shots, this one being made at Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, California. Camera was a Nikon D100 shot in Raw mode with an exposure of f/13 at 2.5 seconds. There was lots of other camera info on the back of the shot, but unfortunately the photographer did not include his or her name on the print! Tell us who you are so we can recognize you and your great work!

Light In The Forest: Helen Skove wrote, "This photo was taken at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in California. There was this dramatic directional light from behind the tree. After returning from the beach we passed this view again. The sun was gone and there was nothing of interest but a dark, decaying log. The magic was gone." Skove worked with a Nikon F5 and a Sigma 28-105mm lens on Fujichrome Velvia film.
© 2004, Helen Skove, All Rights Reserved

River Of Gold: Mike Farmer made the most of the setting sun for this photo of the Swift River made in the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire. Farmer said, "The bank of the river was a painted canvas of bright red and orange leaves that appeared to be on fire from the low, setting sun. I knew from past experience that the setting sun did not wait for anyone and time was of the essence." He made this photo with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel and Canon 18-55mm lens with a Tiffen ND filter. Exposure was 2 seconds at f/14 with the camera mounted on a Manfrotto 3021BN tripod.
© 2004, Mike Farmer, All Rights Reserved


Bow Watch: Dave Long made this evocative silhouette at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida, with a Nikon Coolpix 5700 and a Nikkor 35-280mm lens with circular polarizer mounted. Exposure was f/5.5 at 1/278 sec.
© 2004, Dave Long, All Rights Reserved

Nice And Calm: This tranquil harbor scene was captured by Jim Primmer in New Harbor, Maine, with a Canon EOS 10D and Sigma 70-200mm lens with an exposure of f/5.6 at 1/60 sec.
© 2004, Jim Primmer, All Rights Reserved

Rainbow And Rocks: Jock Goodman wrote, "The direction of light shapes rainbows. Late morning and early afternoon, rainbows are close to the ground." He made this dazzling shot with a Nikon D70 set at ISO 200 and a Nikkor 18-70mm lens. Exposure was f/13 at 1/250 sec.
© 2004, Jock Goodman, All Rights Reserved

Tree-Lined Street: This classic autumn photograph was made by Diane Metz in Lyndonville, Vermont, with a Nikon SLR and Nikkor 24mm lens on Kodak High Definition 400 film. Exposure was f/11 at 1/60 sec.
© 2004, Diane Metz, All Rights Reserved
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