Photo Lesson: Seeing and Using Light
In addition to being longtime contributing photographers for Traveler magazine, my wife Sisse and I are frequently invited to join National Geographic Expeditions trips as photography experts, interacting with guests aboard the National Geographic Explorer.
On a recent trip to the Macaronesia Islands—composed of the Azores and Madeira (both belonging to Portugal), the Canaries (which is under Spanish rule), and the independent country of Cape Verde—we had 25 passengers sign up for a photo workshop with us. We gave them assignments, or themes, to explore throughout our journey—including how to recognize and use light, how to interact with strangers and convey personalities through portraiture, how to tell a story and capture a sense of place through photography, and more.
Each day, we met to discuss the results of their efforts, with Sisse and I providing feedback and suggestions on how to improve. And each day there was a standout photograph that seemed to illustrate the lesson we had intended to teach—so much so that we thought it was worth sharing with the rest of the Nat Geo Travel community.
> Assignment: Seeing and Using Light
Having a good eye for light is one of those skills that takes photographers time, practice, and patience to develop. In the end, it makes all the difference between a successful picture and one not worth taking at all. After all, the word “photograph” derives from Greek roots phōtos and graphé, which, together, roughly translate to “drawing with light.”
One of the first things Sisse and I do during our workshops is to lead a photo walk and point out which light works best for different photo situations. For this assignment, we wanted to stress the importance of having our students find the right light—and then use it to their advantage.
Rather than introduce artificial light (flash), we like to concentrate on getting the most out of natural light at different times of day. If it’s midday, when the sun is directly overhead—which can often produce harsh downcast shadows—we look for areas of open shade or for light that’s being bounced off of a surface, such as a street or the facade of a building, to produce a subtler effect.
In the picture above, which was taken during a morning photo walk in Funchal, Madeira, photographer Margaret McBride honed in on a stall at the iconic Mercado dos Lavradores selling heaps of tropical fruits—bananas, papaya, passion fruit, avocados, citrus varietals, and more. (The island is incredibly fertile due to its volcanic soil and mild climate.)
A shaft of daylight coming in from the side (strong side lighting) brings out the texture of the produce on display. The quality of this light creates depth and dimension, allowing every single piece of fruit to stand out on its own. Because the top and bottom of the frame are in shadow, the emphasis on the fruit is heightened.
> Camera Settings:
- ISO:100
- Lens: 40mm
- Aperture: f/4
- Shutter Speed: 1/400th second
Cotton Coulson and Sisse Brimberg are contributing photographers for National Geographic Traveler magazine based in Glasgow, Scotland. Follow them on Twitter @cottonkeenpress.
> Related:
- Travel with Cotton and Sisse on a Nat Geo Expedition
- Photo Lesson: Conveying Motion
- Photo Lesson: Evoking Mood
- Photo Lesson: Setting the Scene
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital