According to Los Angeles native and veteran nature photographer Robert Testagrossa, photography is the greatest hobby in the world. Nature photographers spend a lot of their time taking photos, with many of these individuals making the craft a permanent hobby. For those looking to do something new and are willing to invest their time, money, and effort, Robert Testagrossa assures them that getting into nature photography is one of the best decisions they’ll ever make.
In the past year, Robert Testagrossa has been writing several blogs in which he shares the knowledge he has gathered throughout his years as an avid student of photography. Today, he looks at one of the essential aspects of photography – lighting or natural lighting, to be more specific.
Light plus angles can make magic.
Many mind-blowing photography techniques such as lens flares can be done through the proper use of sunlight. Robert Testagrossa’s advice is to angle the shots, in which the camera is pointed toward the general direction of the sun. However, they should be careful not to allow sunlight to get in the way of the subject.
Along with this, photographers should also take into account and practice with distance. Certain distances give off the ideal lighting conditions. As other veteran photographers can attest, when shooting a portrait under certain lighting conditions, the photograph can appear softer because the shadows are more subtle on the face. The flare that floods the picture makes the composition more magical.
High noon is hardly the time for optimal dramatic photos.
The belief that because midday is when the sun shines the brightest, it automatically becomes the ideal time for a photoshoot – is downright wrong. Robert Testagrossa and other veteran photographers believe the best time to shoot would be sunrise or sunset.
During the start and end of the day, the light angle is a lot easier to manage and makes for more creative and dramatic images. Moreover, Robert Testagrossa reminds everyone that different times of the day tell different stories and give off different appearances of the subject.
Do you have other tips when it comes to lighting? What are the most challenging aspects for you when capturing natural light? Feel free to share them with Robert Testagrossa in the comments section below.