This spring I seem to find myself attracted to more ‘glowing things’ than ever before. I don’t know if I am more perceptive to this type of light now, or I just have glow on the brain. It can be difficult ‘seeing’ situations like this because they typically occur when the light is just about to get too harsh and you usually only see it from a very specific angle.
Perhaps you have seen a movie filming technique that became popular in the last few years where a camera seems to spin 360 degrees around a stationary object. I tend to think of this when examining the light on a subject. A photograph can change dramatically when getting yourself 180 degrees on the other side – particularly for closeups. Exposure can be tricky as well. Matrix metering has been pretty reliable for me so far in these situations. If part of your subject falls deeply into shadow, you might want to consider using a reflector to bounce some light back in there, but still maintain the backlit, glowing appearance.
While the sun at your back may be good some of the time, it shouldn’t be considered the only way to look at the light on a subject.
For whatever reason you’re being drawn to “the glow”, keep going with it. This one of yours in your gallery is exceptional as well:
“Eastern Meadowlark on glowing leaves”
very beautiful photographs here!
the glow is gorgeous.
Hey Paul – interesting idea on that Chinette plate – I will have to try that one.
Mark, I’m with you. I love this type of lighting, which seems to happen, as you say, just before the light gets harsh. I take with me a Chinette white paper platter and use it as a reflector. It’s great.
I find that with this I can shoot about another hour, or perhaps more, as long as I have my tripod. With the camera mounted on the tripod, I can use my hands to move the reflector into the right place.
Mark, This is really cool looking.