Light Quality in Photography

Early morning and dusk are wonderful times to take photographs, but there are other times or situations or light sources, which also give me pleasure.

Early morning light and afternoon or dusk offer saturated light that intensifies subjects and often increases the appeal of color (above)

A shaft of light hitting an “ordinary” subject often makes it seem special, such as the small bowl and spoons on a table in a Japanese café in Albuquerque, New Mexico, or shining on the metal sides of a grain elevator in Carlton, Oregon.

Venetian blinds are another light source that I love. I’ve taken many portraits using the soft, diffuse light that these blinds offer. The pattern they offer when included in an image is also alluring.

Light sources such as artificial lights at night or in a dark room can create dramatic, chiaroscuro effects that are often more dramatic than shooting the same situation in daylight.

Shooting into the sun was always considered a no-no, but the shot of the farm with sheep in Oregon taken just as the sun is setting and is shining directly into the lens illustrates nicely an exception to that rule.
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No matter what time of day or where I am, I'm always looking for that special light that is going to make or break a photo.

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To contact Bob Eckert for assignments, consultations or workshops, please email [email protected]
​or use the contact form on the About page