Good light is everything

You'll see it many times as I add to this blog.  Photography is all about light.  The word "photography", comes from two Greek words which essentially translate into drawing with light.

Light has qualities that are clearly definable and easy to understand when we pay attention.  Light can be flat, dull and boring, like on a cloudy/  rainy day, or it can be bright and harsh in direct sun on a beach (neither of these extremes usually result in the creation of satisfactory images).  There are literally thousands of variations in between.  Light varies with the time of day, the weather, the season of the year and our location on the planet.  We live on a globe and our light source comes in from different angles depending on where and when we happen to be at the time we are taking pictures.  Light can be diffused, reflected, refracted, intensified or decreased in any number of ways for any number of reasons.  Summer light is soft.  Winter light is harsh.  The main thing is to be aware of the light and use it to your advantage when making a photograph.  You might even decide to come back at another time when the light might be more favorable as it will completely change direction from early morning to late afternoon.  The photo above of the library entrance is a good example.  This is an afternoon photo as the light is coming in strong from the west.  Morning light here is not nearly as dramatic.  The light in this image is diffused, reflected and refracted.  There is some tint on the windows so it has been softened as well.  This kind of lighting is not accidental but well thought out by the architect.

Lighting in an old house is quite different than what you will find in a new one.  Light in a cathedral is enhanced by stained glass windows and high, vaulted, ceilings.  Think about the light and you will become a better photographer.