Let's talk about light as a subject!

[rogleale]

Hi All,

I've been puzzling lately about light for our photographs. We all think of light as an essential means of exploiting, or improving, the subjects of our photographs, but how often do we think of light as the subject itself. Every morning in the darker months of the year, this is the view out of my bedroom window. The subject in colour has no artistic merit at all, even though the lighting is quite pleasing, then the other morning I realised that a black and white version could be used as a good illustration of chiaroscuro, with its shades from black to white - 0 - 255. Rembrandt may have liked it!




This started me thinking, could we take photographs where light is the subject of the picture? A quick trawl through my archives found lots where light is a major factor but never the actual subject. For instance - a beautiful sunrise is mainly light, but the subject is 'Sunrise' not 'Light'. The closest that I have found is 'Sunbeams'. (This is only interesting to me because of an interest in maritime history. In the days of sail sailors called this effect 'God's Backstays' because low cloud being torn apart to let the sun down is very often the first indication of an approaching depression and stronger winds. When a square rigger's captain saw this effect he would often have extra backstays rigged to support his masts.)



Any ideas anyone? Any good examples where light is the subject, not an accessory? Is it even possible?

Roger

[Patrick]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

Hi All,

I've been puzzling lately about light for our photographs. We all think of light as an essential means of exploiting, or improving, the subjects of our photographs, but how often do we think of light as the subject itself. Every morning in the darker months of the year, this is the view out of my bedroom window. The subject in colour has no artistic merit at all, even though the lighting is quite pleasing, then the other morning I realised that a black and white version could be used as a good illustration of chiaroscuro, with its shades from black to white - 0 - 255. Rembrandt may have liked it!




This started me thinking, could we take photographs where light is the subject of the picture? A quick trawl through my archives found lots where light is a major factor but never the actual subject. For instance - a beautiful sunrise is mainly light, but the subject is 'Sunrise' not 'Light'. The closest that I have found is 'Sunbeams'. (This is only interesting to me because of an interest in maritime history. In the days of sail sailors called this effect 'God's Backstays' because low cloud being torn apart to let the sun down is very often the first indication of an approaching depression and stronger winds. When a square rigger's captain saw this effect he would often have extra backstays rigged to support his masts.)



Any ideas anyone? Any good examples where light is the subject, not an accessory? Is it even possible?

Roger

As know one has answered yet I will, but not yet with any thoughts because that is what is needed some thought on the matter.
Post to you later.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

As know one has answered yet I will, but not yet with any thoughts because that is what is needed some thought on the matter.
Post to you later.

Patrick

My plan too, when I get more time

[Ian]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

Indeed, this does need some deeper thought.

But I did have a flash of inspiration. Infra red - a shift in the light spectrum - has a profound effect on what the camera sees and can be very effective in attracting attention and generating wonder.

Ian

[Tinka]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

Hi,
Lightning is putting the light (ning) and its light effect as the main subject and the surroundings as secondry. The subject make ya think though.
Fireworks spring to mind also, but I suspect that you have in mind natural light from the sun/moon.

[Stephen]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

Hi All,

I've been puzzling lately about light for our photographs. We all think of light as an essential means of exploiting, or improving, the subjects of our photographs, but how often do we think of light as the subject itself. Every morning in the darker months of the year, this is the view out of my bedroom window. The subject in colour has no artistic merit at all, even though the lighting is quite pleasing, then the other morning I realised that a black and white version could be used as a good illustration of chiaroscuro, with its shades from black to white - 0 - 255. Rembrandt may have liked it!




This started me thinking, could we take photographs where light is the subject of the picture? A quick trawl through my archives found lots where light is a major factor but never the actual subject. For instance - a beautiful sunrise is mainly light, but the subject is 'Sunrise' not 'Light'. The closest that I have found is 'Sunbeams'. (This is only interesting to me because of an interest in maritime history. In the days of sail sailors called this effect 'God's Backstays' because low cloud being torn apart to let the sun down is very often the first indication of an approaching depression and stronger winds. When a square rigger's captain saw this effect he would often have extra backstays rigged to support his masts.)



Any ideas anyone? Any good examples where light is the subject, not an accessory? Is it even possible?

Roger

Roger, I have to confess that I've never really associated chiaroscuro with landscape photography, more portraiture if I'm honest. I suppose though that the use of light and shadow is pretty important in landscape too if you really want to achieve something with impact.

Flat lighting or a scene evenly lit simply doesn't have the same impact as one where the light is used to enhance and lift the shot giving it depth and impact.

For me though I'm not to bothered about photographs where light is the subject, even if its possible, perhaps in some abstract way. Photography is more about creating an image using light to good effect, this is surely what chiaroscuro is all about and its something that the great painters knew all about.

From a landscape perspective check out this site http://www.outdoor-photos.com/ I discovered it yesterday, but there are some stunning photographs there and they are all made so by using the light to add emotion, passion and drama

[Patrick]

Re: Let's talk about light as a subject!

Roger, I have to confess that I've never really associated chiaroscuro with landscape photography, more portraiture if I'm honest. I suppose though that the use of light and shadow is pretty important in landscape too if you really want to achieve something with impact.

Flat lighting or a scene evenly lit simply doesn't have the same impact as one where the light is used to enhance and lift the shot giving it depth and impact.

For me though I'm not to bothered about photographs where light is the subject, even if its possible, perhaps in some abstract way. Photography is more about creating an image using light to good effect, this is surely what chiaroscuro is all about and its something that the great painters knew all about.

From a landscape perspective check out this site http://www.outdoor-photos.com/ I discovered it yesterday, but there are some stunning photographs there and they are all made so by using the light to add emotion, passion and drama

I have now given this subject a great deal of thought and come to the conclusion that light cannot be the subject in itself, or it is always the subject.
I think the latter to be the case, whatever the subject it has got to have light be it poor quality, stunning light, infra red, its all rays from a single spectrum of which the visible is but a small part.
Chiaroscuro comes down to a quality of light not best suited to landscape but great for portraiture, figure, or still life, street scenes can be affective and even fashion.
Its a shame there hasn't been more input and ideas on this subject, because lets face it without light we wouldn't have this hobby would we?

Patrick