finding the light

Some times I take for granted little things.  Like being able to take a decent picture.
Last weekend my family went on an adventure to the National Cherry Blossom Fesitval.  I took a few shots of my family by the trees, and handing the camera over to my husband to get a shot of me.  Same settings I just used, same location I just shot, but he didnt see the full picture.  The light was harsh, it was around 830 am and the sun was blaring straight on us.  With my experiance, I knew enough to use my body to block the light so the picture would be soft and airy.  My husband is not a photographer and has no interest in knowing anything about photography.  This is what we came up with.

I look terrible, I know.  the light is way too harsh and over emphasizes my features.  It can blow our your whites, and make your darks too dark.  This is why we must always be aware of the light.  Where is it coming from, how bright is it shining, which direction is it flowing from.  Light can make or destroy an image.

  Here is an example of how light can create different moods, or effects to our pictures.  Both shots were taken within 12 inches of each other.  both against the same green wall, both about the same distance from the wall.  The difference is, shadow.  A shadow was cast from the fence, onto the wall behind this flower.  It makes the background appear black and makes the flower stand out more.  By moving over a couple of inches, and finding new light it creates a completely different feel to your pictures.

Take time to look at the light, see how it is landing on your subject.  Move around to see where the best light is coming from, it could be as little as an inch away.  and dont be afraid to take several shots from different angles and points of view.