Photography Tips: A GREAT camera can NOT make up for poor light…

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Yersterday, I was an one of those nice outdoor malls waiting for a family begin at the country club down the road. I was just chilling by the fountains.

Up walks a photographer with a D3 (amazing camera), a 50mm lens, a flash mounted on the camera, and a reflector. I knew the lighting was amazing at the location with the sun nearly setting and natural reflectors(See My Natural Light Video was ALL abound. I was curious to watch and hopefully learn something.

It was interesting…

• She was obsessed with placing the reflector RIGHT at the kids foot while she kid was standing. I am no genius but not sure that was helping.
• She placed the girls back to the beautiful light. YES, it would produce a nice rim light BUT there was NO light in the eyes. I’ll take light in the eyes every time. So, the back of her was getting all the beautiful light, and not her face. HAD she picked up the reflector and bounced some of that back light back into her eyes, it would have been AMAZING. One simple thing could have made the image go from blah to amazing!
• She was trying to be fun with the little girl (10 years old I’m guessing) but she took 12 pictures (of the same image). I watched she shoot in 3 different spots and EVERY picture I am sure was the same. The kiddo was getting so bored.
• Luckily I never saw her use the flash mounted on top of her camera.

Lessons…

1. An amazing camera will NOT make up for poor lighting. Once again, its not the tools used, but the artist using the tools.
2. Take the picture, if you nail it, move on! Its better for the model AND your Photoshop processing time!
3. Put light in those eyes! Either face them towards the natural reflectors or use artificial reflectors. On camera flash is the LAST resort.
4. Rim light is gorgeous but not at the expense of dead eyes. Nail both. Rim light + light in the eyes = beautiful picture!

George