I saw the light and the welder first, then moved the bankers into it.
One of my favorite quotes is actually the title to a famous country and western song entitled, “I saw the light”, sung by one of the true country legends, Hank Williams. Not that I’m a die hard lover of country music or a religious person, but years ago whenever I was shooting on location, chasing and finding the light, I would sing a couple of verses to sort of celebrate my good fortune and timing.:
I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light.
If you’re interested, here’s Hank singing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtolv9kM1qk
Btw, my crew thought it was REALLY getting old!!!
The analogy I’m drawing is what I teach in my online class with the BPSOP, or in one of my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet. I tell my fellow photographers that light is everything; you find the light and you’ll find the shot. The only exception is in photojournalism/street photography where capturing the moment/action can transcend great light and therefore be more important…every once in a while you can get both!
I’m always looking all around my environment and peripheral vision for that moment when I see the light hitting or falling on something. Light is so fleeting that once you see it, you have to act fast or you’ll lose it. Sometimes the light returns, as in a cloud moving across the sky, but I’ve found after forty-eight years of shooting that once it’s gone…baby it’s gone!!! Light will make the difference between going home empty handed or being less satisfied because of a gray day when you could have slept in.
When you do see it, while running towards it, you should also be thinking about how you’re going to use it. Sometimes there’s a subject or center of interest already in the light, and sometimes I look around for something to move into the light. The faster you can determine that the better your chances are of capturing it.
Are you going to side light, back light, front light? These questions need to be addressed and put in order of importance. In other words, try to light your subject from as many points of view as you can. I always try to start out backlighting or from the light in the ten or two position. Then I’ll look at my subject as it’s side lit. Finally and rarely will I front light anything…why?
Because when you front light, your subject will lose the third dimension, depth. The one exception is when the background behind your subject is dark, making it stand out.
Here’s what I saw when I see the light:
Imagine me singing away when I’m seeing the light!!!
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com, and www.instagram.com/barabanjoe Check out my workshop schedule at the top of this blog. Come shoot with me and we’ll sing in two-part harmony.
JoeB
