Part 1 of 6
Light & Darkness
This article is the beginning of our second outdoor journey in the “Learning to see like a photographer” series. In this six-part photography course, you can join Chris Eyre-Walker as he wanders through the Venntrilogie trail in eastern Belgium. You’ll get to listen to his inner voice, learn what draws his eyes, and understand how he constructs photographs along the way.
“In this photography series I’d like to share my notes from the trail, take you to places I like to photograph. The moments before and of the moment I capture with my camera. I want to share a little about how the experience drives the emotion, and in return how the emotion dictates how I capture the moment. Some of those things could be simplified into ‘photography rules’, since there a commonalities in how we all see and perceive photographs. But with my words, through my experiences.”
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Chris Eyre-Walker
How to make that solotree stand out?
“And then the light changed…”
OM SYSTEM OM-5
M.Zuiko Digital 12mm F2.0
N 50° 40’ 37”
E 6° 07’ 08”
Focal length: 12mm
Shutter speed: 1/80 s
F-Stop F8
ISO 200
“This photograph holds a special place in my heart. Without it, the moment might have slipped away unnoticed. The fleeting beauty of dawn, with its interplay of warm light and cool shadows, was captured before the sun vanished behind thick clouds. Amidst this urgency, a majestic oak stood tall in isolation, prompting me to seize the precious sunlight after weeks of rain. With the day’s final golden rays, I framed the distant church beneath the tree, contrasting its brightness against the tree’s shadows and the stormy sky. In that brief moment, I preserved the rich interplay of light and shadow before it vanished for the day.”
Lesson 1: see how it was done
What to avoid?
If you don’t stop to see and think beyond the initial eye-catcher, you probably end up getting a simple tourist snap like this. Be patient and make it more.
Juxtaposition
“The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.”
- Warm and cool
colour contrast - Light and shadow
tonal contrast - Dramatic sky
interest - Unobstructed
view of focal point - Dark foreground
depth - Bright church tower
focal point
How did I see the photograph?
Nature often reveals the obvious in a spectacular display of light and shadow. As I hiked, the brilliance of the sunlight was impossible to ignore, especially as it illuminated the church bell, making it the focal point of my view. Intentionally, I positioned myself to include both the impressive tree and the church in the composition. By juxtaposing the brightest element, the church tower, against the darkest elements—the dark sky and deep shadows—the contrast was intensified, creating a compelling visual narrative.
Things to consider:
Look for multiple levels of contrast
There are many ways of making an effective and pleasing composition. In this example I have relied mostly on contrast on multiple levels. The next time you see something worth photographing, stop or even sit for a while to think about these things, before taking a single frame:
Tonal contrast
Can you experiment with high-key and low-key lighting to create dramatic effects? Yes! This is where you will need to pay attention to both the shadows and highlights in your image and use them to emphasize the shape and form of your subjects.
Colour contrast
Complementary colours (those opposite each other on the colour wheel) naturally enhance each other when placed together. Will differing colour intensity and saturations draw your eye through the image? Experiment with colour combinations to create vibrant and visually striking images.
Texture contrast
The contrast in textures will create a tactile feeling in your images. Seek out subjects with diverse textures, such as smooth surfaces against rough ones or soft textures against hard ones. Now see if you can add any tonal contrast to enhance the look of these textures.
Subject-background contrast
Is it possible to isolate your subject from the background? This can be another effective way to create contrast. Consider the colours and tones of the subject against the background to ensure they contrast well, drawing the viewer’s attention to the main focal point.
Contrast in composition
Explore contrast in composition by juxtaposing different elements in your frame. What’s available in this composition? Can we manufacture a journey from it or does it already exist? Changing your own position even slightly can change the relation of your main subjects significantly.
Prepare to see, too
If you’re in any way experienced in hiking or spending longer periods in nature, you’re probably quite good at preparing for your trips. Spare clothing, maps and a compass, route planning, preparing food and drink all might come naturally to you. But have you ever written down notes or plans for photographs you’d like to make?
Videographers use shot lists to make sure they get everything they need to tell a story. And it will not hurt you to practise something similar for photography too. Think about key places, times of day, the elements you could encounter, and feelings you’d like to show.
When coming back home, you might be surprised how the pre-thought you put in inspired your photography along the way.