Light Study

Hello,

Welcome to My Creative Still Life Journey…….So happy you are here. I am SO excited to be here, I have been wanting to do this for a while, sort of like an extension to my Still Life Workshops, I have finally decided to just jump in, as there never seems a right time to do something - I guess you just have to DO IT.  Every week I will bring you a new post, a new theme and challenge for 12 weeks.

But first, let's dive in...

What is My Creative Still Life Journey all about?

I know you are probably super keen to jump right in, but let's take a moment to look at a few things first. Taking time out for yourself, to just breathe, just BE. Some people do not GET Still Life and that's fine, but for those of us who do, it is a type of mediation, almost a type of self-soothing. Finding props, setting a scene and making those minute little changes are what it's all about, that and LIGHT, gorgeous light. Whether natural or studio it is all about capturing those gorgeous shadows and light. You can shoot light & bright or dark & moody, I am hoping to capture it all here, as well as some tips and tricks along the way. We will mostly be using natural light, well...because it is free! Perhaps this is a style of Photography that you have always loved, but struggle to get it right, have never tried but always wanted to, or something you have always loved and you have lost that Spark, your Mojo, I would love to have you all join the challenges...whatever your level of skill

Take a deep breath….Let’s start.

First up….Let's talk about a Timeout

Today I want to encourage you to open your mind, heart & soul to a little ME-TIME, like a self-imposed Time-Out. In this helter-skelter busy world, we all could do with a little me time. It does not have to be a Sunday, it could be any day of the week. A block of time…. to just be and create …that is key to this still life journey. Perhaps find one hour a week or 10 -15 minutes a day, if you have somewhere to leave your subject without it being disturbed...it's not going anywhere on its own. Still Life is a quiet, slow form of photography, no models to direct, you can set up and come back hours or days later, it doesn't matter.

Now, let's Study the Light...

When it comes to our photos...light is everything. This week I want you to study your light, just for now I am talking about natural window light. Find a spot where there is a little bit of room where you can set something up and leave it there. Just a small little spot, it does not matter which direction it faces, or even what room. It could be your bedroom, the bathroom, kitchen, just an area where there is a little bit of space. Then for one day or even every day…. at different times of the day.…study THAT light.

Once you have found a great spot & light source…Set up a small scene…..something super simple, and perhaps keep it small...a flower, a bottle, a few books… on a table, a chair, a stool, a crate….whatever’s handy. Leave your still ‘set-up’…then at different times of the day; say morning, noon and mid to late afternoon and take note of how the light changes on your subject. Take a photo and see the difference. Is it too bright, too harsh, long shadows, dramatic and moody? Now note the time and the light that you liked the best.

Tip: If the light is too harsh, consider a sheer curtain, or fabric… maybe some baking paper to diffuse/soften the light.

Tip: Do not set your scene up directly in front of the window, but next to it, we will get to direct light a little bit later.

But, what gear do I use?...

It really does not matter, just for now, you can use what every camera & lens you have on hand, you can even use a Smart Phone, the important thing here is to study the light, we will get more into specifics and gear later.

Just Click Play on the video to watch a Behind the Scenes

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