jude’s photo challenge: being creative with light

Jude’s photo challenge this month is all about Being Creative with Light.

Her assignments are as follows: 1) Look for shadows. Strong light, casting well-defined shadows, can create interesting abstract images. Layering light and shadows brings a sense of depth to an image and can convey mystery (2020 Photo Challenge #18).

2) Study light throughout the day from one location / or one object returning to see how light changes and affects it. Compile 6 shots. Which is your favorite? (2020 Photo Challenge #19).

I didn’t have much of interest to shoot six times in a day, so I photographed the Japanese maple in my yard.  I must admit I took them on different days, so sometimes the difference in light is due to cloudiness on some days. My favorite is the one I took at 9:48 a.m..

3) Create one image using strong lighting which creates strong shadows and emphasizes contrasts in tones AND one image with much lighter tones. If you have post-processing software try experimenting with ‘low key’ and ‘high key’ effects (2020 Photo Challenge #20 and 2020 Photo Challenge #20 (Take Two)).

I don’t have a “low key” or “high key” effect on my post-processing software, so I just adjusted the light.  I like the original and the low light the best. I can’t say I care for the black & white.

4) Use strong backlighting (i.e. shooting towards the light source, but do not look directly at the sun) to create a contre-jour image where the subject becomes a silhouette, OR shoot the light through flowers or leaves creating a transparent effect.

Experiment in different weather conditions such as mist or rain, OR take a photograph indoors such as a still life or light entering a room streaming through a window OR experiment in capturing the color of light.

First, I have some rainy day shots from China and Japan. In Nikko, Japan, it was pouring the entire day.

I like the way the light is so different on these sea grasses in Suncheon Bay, South Korea.  In the first, I shot directly into the setting sun, and in the second, the light comes from the right of the photo.

This was taken at Jebel Akhdar in Oman as the sun was setting.

Finally, I think these capture the color of light.

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“PHOTOGRAPHY” INVITATION:  I invite you to create a photography intention and then create a blog post for a place you have visited. Alternately, you can post a thematic post about a place, photos of whatever you discovered that set your heart afire. You can also do a thematic post of something you have found throughout all your travels: churches, doors, people reading, people hiking, mountains, patterns, all black & white, whatever!

This particular post is to participate in Jude’s photo challenge, which in May is all about light.

You probably have your own ideas about this, but in case you’d like some ideas, you can visit my page: photography inspiration.

I challenge you to post no more than 20-25 photos and to write less than 1,500 words about any travel-related photography intention you set for yourself. Include the link in the comments below by Wednesday, June 3 at 1:00 p.m. EST.  When I write my post in response to this challenge on Thursday, June 4, I’ll include your links in that post.

This will be an ongoing invitation, every first, second, and third (& 5th, if there is one) Thursday of each month. Feel free to jump in at any time. 🙂

I hope you’ll join in our community. I look forward to reading your posts!