Alpha and I reached to talk about a lot of things this evening during the short time we met at chat tonight. One of the things were light. I don't think that I'm very concious when it comes to light. It's just that there are some times that I just "know" there is a picture to be taken. *lol* I guess that doesn't really call for a pro photographer. Some of those times, I've found myself with a really good picture in my hands. This one was taken in the "Oldest House" here in St. Augustine, FL. (which is the oldest city in the US) The house was built by the Spaniards more than 400 years ago, and is furnished as it was back then. No glasses in the windows. The bright FL sun, and the rather dark inside of the house. No flash light. And the picture isn't photoshopped, - other than taken down in size (it's REALLY big) Now... you guys tell me how I can take these shot conciously! :)

Concious or unconcious, it is beautiful shot. I have always believed in the trained eye. The knowledge can be taught and developed or by reviewing great pictures or by practice, practice. The eye and mind are trained. Practice and review of your work keeps the mind active. What I find that I like about digital is the ability to take many and use few.

I couldn't agree more, billglaw. lol I've always taken a LOT of pictures, film or no film. The major advantage with my digital camera is what you say, - that I can take lots, - and discard the most of the pictures. When it comes to the "trained eye" I think I do have that. Trained in the sense that I've had to vizualize in most of my adult life. Either in the form of making layout, taking pictures, making graphics to illustrate things etc. Maybe it's a good thing that it's unconcious, maybe the best pictures are taken when we intuitively "feel" it's right. I do agree with you too Alpha. I think that forums like this is an important source for a lot of things. Sharing knowledge is one thing, - another is to get inspiration and ideas from others work. This picture was taken practically mid-day. And normally that makes for very flat and poor pictures here in the FL sun. So rather thinking "light" here, I find myself thinking "shade". :) The windows are pointed east, I think. But since the sun was shining straight down, more or less, that shouldn't matter much. And thank you! :) I'm glad you guys like it too. Britt

You taught me something Britt, to think of shade in certain light and how it works so I am going to carry this with me from now on. Also, the picture is outstanding....

without readin anything in this thread, that is one damn fine image man!

Light, the crucial element of photography or painting is something we often under-analyze when taking pictures. One of the reasons is the marvelous capacity of the human eye and brain the "see" the image that we want. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately the "film" or CCD is more objective. Exposures using incandesent light have an entirely different color content than hologen or flouresent. Even in the B&W arena the dynamic range of the eye is greater than film. The ZONE System is a recognition of that condition. Our photography percentage of good to acceptable images improves the more we analyze the ambient light conditions prior to even composing the picture. As I start thinking images and taking more pictures I am constantly reminded by my monitor of any situation where I have missed the "check the light" step. BILL

ya, what Bill said. Seriously, this is just f'in great photography all around.

Well, it's funny and almost ironic that you mention the importance of light and the use of a digital camera in one post :) Maybe I'm just weird, old fashion or simply stupid, but I feel digital cameras just miss the most important step in photography - the influence of light on your specific type of film. I that respect I feel every digital camera that's now on the market (including the Nikon D1x is still many steps beyond analog cameras. I'm really annoyed when I have a look at a digital camera and they are trying to explain to me that it's so incredibly sharp, that you can store so many photo's, etc. Why would anyone want that, other than for those silly holiday or party shots ? Okay, for photo journalists, who are on the other side of the world, it's a prefect solution. The only reason that would make me get rid of my 35mm equipment is to move to medium format. Sorry, I'm getting carried away :P About light, I just meant to say that both light and the choice of film can produce so many great and unbelievable results.....on a digital camera your 'film' is just one simple constant 'value', there's no difference in grain, contrast, or whatever. Although Nikon's D1 range is really nice, just for the ability to use real 35mm lenses instead of those weird things they stick on other digital camera's. (Especially being able to use ED or AFS lenses is nice). Again, to me, personally, digital photography is not a substitute of photography on a pro level. Bart PS I: Didn't mean to offend anyone, and my apologies if anyone feels offended. PS II: love that photo btw :P

Btw, about shooting in mid-day.....here's something very humble I'd like to share...something that I've always learned. During a whole year, season and day the sunlight changes a lot.... At dawn the sunlight is more orange/yellow of color, while at dusk it's much more blue. Mid day gives you the most neutral sunlight. (this isn't always a bad thing). Now, ofcourse, in summer the colors are much more saturated that in winter. Over here the sunlight is much cooler than normal, so I sometimes use a polarizer filter to make the colors a bit more contrasty/darker. Also during the summer the transition between night and day, and vice versa takes much more time than during winter. In summer dusk and dawn can last more than two hours, while in winter it can be dark/light in only 15 minutes, depending on where you live. Now, during summer the sun is much higher in the sky than in winter, so ofcourse mid-day winter produces better and longer shadows than in mid-day summer. Basically the most interesting and colored light can be found during dawn and dusk, depending on what you want to shoot, while mid-day with a too strong sunlight can produce much too sharp photos. Sharp photos can be great in landscapes or architecture, but at times a shallow depth of field, or a soft 'look' can be much nices (for instance with portraits....too sharp, and short shadows make even the prettiest girls look ugly or old). If you take a lot of time to make a shot, it's always nice to make more during differt times of the days. After all, it's the light that produces the shadows :) Take care

PS I: Didn't mean to offend anyone, and my apologies if anyone feels offended. "Why would anyone want that, other than for those silly holiday or party shots ?" Not offended, just a bit defensive. After 40 years of film all sizes and types, I bought a digital camera to learn the process. I like it very much and get good not great results. Printing 8 x 10 that is better than I expected with color balanced and reasonable detail. Fine florals with color and edges. As my techniques and knowledge increase the results will improve. Cost vs capability says use 35 mm and a good film scanner. You have to really understand the technology to understand the positives and negatives of digital. My reference to digital cameras and light values is that recording correct images in digital has some limitations not found using film. As for professionals they are moving toward digital in many areas.

digital and "tradition" will forever be fighting. Digital will never take over "traditional", and if u wanna understand that, you gotta check up on some histeroeryry. By the wya, Popular Photography had a digital issue a few months ago, with some great comparisons, along with the pros and cons of digital and traditional if anyone's interested. In the meantime, we can always argue about this in the C & D forum (speaking of which, Hairball should be pooping on me right now...)

No ;) I mentioned the word 'digital' in the first place because real film is much more influenced by light than your digital medium....didn't mean to say that digital is crap - just saying that I didn't like it myself and that was just a personal comment :) On the subject of light, I think that digital photography leaves you in the cold (for now)...that's all ;) Take care