Light Scouting: Be Prepared!

Light. Photography is all about light. Without it, there would be no photo, and no equipment to take a photo, and ultimately we’d all be very sad about that.

Light: where it comes from, what it looks like, and when it arrives are very important considerations when you’re hoping to take some photographs. Very rarely are we fortunate enough to have a lot of time to plan a photo shoot, unless you are a paid professional. Most of us want to take photos of our family, pets, friends etc on a whim: an impromptu dinner party, your daughter sleeping curled up with her cat: These events do not happen on a timetable, and you are not often given time to plan them out.

So how can you plan for the unexpected, and always make sure you know how and where to get the best shot? Here are some tips for when you have some downtime:

• Walk around your house at different times of day. Which room has the best light in the morning? Evening?
• Turn on the lights in your rooms and see what temperature they are. The more yellow they are, the warmer they are. The more blue they are, the cooler they are. Consider when you might want warmer or cooler light for your photography and take note. 
• Consider the direction of the light, and see where you need your subject to be to best capture this light. Window light is often very diffused, whereas lamp light is often quite narrow. 

Once you’ve considered these elements, look out for the perfect shot! It may come when you least expect it, so be prepared.