Martta Kelly Digital Photography




© Martta Kelly
The Light Side of Photography

Lighting is a key componet of photography. If a photographer is unhappy with the lighting in a photo, they can alter it in a darkroom or through an app, but it's better to know how light is going to affect your work while you are shooting.  This is learned over a period of time and through trial and error.

My absolute favorite time for taking photos is at dusk. You really get great contrast when the sun is setting.  The sunset can also create a dreamy effect.  Foggy days, which I refer to as nature's filter, are also great for shooting photos.


My least favorite type of light is bright sunlight because it yields too many shadows. In some cases, you want shadows, such as with black and white photography, but in many cases, shadows are unwanted guests.  The example that comes to mind is when there's a long reflection of your own shadow in the photo. On bright sunny days, I always try to find a shady place from where to shoot.

What kind of light is your favorite for taking photos? What type is your least favorite?

Send me your answers at kmartta333@gmail.com and I will post them here.