As you may have realized, the management of light in photography is one of the secrets and essential fundamentals that you should know. Yes that’s how it is! The first step to becoming a professional is to understand and know how to take advantage of the different properties and characteristics that the different light sources that exist can provide us. Whether they are natural light sources, such as the sun or the moon, or artificial light sources such as spotlights or lamps.
Light management in photography
Surely you are wondering why the light? Well, to better understand the importance of light management in photography. Let’s review the etymological definition of the word photography. As you probably already know, the word photography, etymologically speaking, means writing with light. With this you can get an idea that light is essential for photography.
To better understand why light is essential for photography. Let’s go back to the history of the origin of photography, as we know Niepce invented the first photographic procedure, initially called heliography. The images were obtained with Judean bitumen, spread on a silver plate, after a certain time of exposure to sunlight for several days.
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Why is light the essential component for photography?
Well, now to understand even more and better why light is the essential component of photography. Let’s analyze the operation of the camera as well as its main parts. But before starting, I invite you to try to take a photo in total darkness. It is impossible! TRUE? You know why? Because cameras need light, it’s that simple.
There is no other way, managing light in photography is essential!
For cameras to do their main function, which is to capture images, they need light. Inside today’s digital cameras, there is a piece called the image sensor or electronic sensor. Which is a light-sensitive device, which is responsible for capturing and processing the light information transmitted from the photographed image. To later transform it and transfer it to the memory card, for viewing or editing.
This brings us to the first basic element of photography, exposure, which is derived from light. As we already know, exposure is about the management and control of the amount of light that the sensor receives to transform it into an image. Likewise in photography, there is a concept called the exposure triangle or light triangle. Which is made up of the diaphragm aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Which together have the purpose of managing and controlling light. The correct application of this concept together with a little creativity will help us create incredible images.
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Importance of light management in photography
Let’s get a little philosophical, close your eyes and imagine yourself in that great dark void, what can you do in it? Exactly, nothing. Without light, nothing makes any sense. And light is something very important not only for photography but for life itself. Light is part of our daily lives and comes from different sources, benefiting us in various ways.
The correct management of light in photography can become your style. Since you can get wonderful results depending on the way you capture, play and use light. This is another important reason to know and learn how to manage light in photography.
As you may have noticed, photography was created and designed around Light. Light has been part of photography since its origins, so understanding it and knowing how to take advantage of it will help us be true photographers. So there is no other way… Without light, there is no photography! To be a photographer is to be a follower of the lord of light.
