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Light and Depth

Lesson 37 from: Mastering Photographic Composition and Visual Storytelling

Chris Weston

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Lesson Info

37. Light and Depth

Next Lesson: Perspective

Lessons

Class Trailer
1

Your 10,001st Photograph

03:24
2

Camera Gear

03:03
3

Piece of Gear We Always Forget

03:47
4

Be a Storyteller

03:09
5

Finding Ideas For Photography - Know Your Subject

06:59
6

Cae Study - Why Are Zebras Black and White Striped

01:30
7

Photograph What You Love

02:00
8

See the Extraordinary in Ordinary Things

01:31

Lesson Info

Light and Depth

in the last lesson, we saw how tone in the form of light and shadow gives form to the shape of individual objects. Tonal contrast can also be used great illusion of depth throughout the whole image space. Because the photograph is two dimensional areas of high contrast project forward, while areas of low contrast recede. If an image contains no contrast to speak off, it may appear flat because no one area stands out from another. Instead, the eye is drawn across the scene, left to right, rather than into the scene. Front to back. Now to show you what I mean. Take a look at the scene behind me. In real life, this scene contains a lot of depth, but because there's no contrast, the image looks flat, which becomes even more apparent when I convert the image to black and white. But if I wait a while for different lighting, it would be a very different story. So now, with the sunlight falling on the foreground rock on the background in shadow, the image appears more three dimensional and aga...

in you can see a distinct difference when I convert. The black and white contrast creates depth now I'm gonna hang around until the morning, because tomorrow I'm going to show you a completely different picture. So last night, I said I was going to show you a completely different picture on here. It is when shooting in color depth may also be implied by exploiting atmospheric perspective. What do I mean by that? Well, take a look at the hills in the background on notice how the color of light gets more blue, the further away they get. This is because we're looking at them through a layer of molecules that are reflecting blue light on. By emphasizing this color caste, which I've done using white balance, you can add to the illusion of depth in your photographs. Another way to create a sense of depth is with color for example, red and green, a complimentary but contrasting colors. So if I take this red flower and photograph it against a green background, I create the appearance of depth. Now to illustrate this, if I take this image and make it black and white, you can clearly see that without color and contrast. The image appears flat. And just to emphasize the point if I put the color back. The illusion of depth returns. Saturation is another tool I can use to affect visual depth. Vivid colors project forward what the saturated colors recede, so an image that has a uniform level of saturation will appear flat. But I can create the illusion of death by selectively de saturating one every. The scene in post areas of contrasting sharpness also affect how we perceive depth objects that a sharp project forward while areas of blur recede. So without other compositional tools such as leading lines, an image that is foreground to background sharpness may appear flat. Reducing depth of field will add depth by emphasizing either foreground or background. By blurring the background, I've created an illusion of depth in the field of poppies. Contrast then in all its forms, whether it's tonal color saturation, all atmospheric is a tool that may be used to give your photographs a true sense of depth, and that enables you to more accurately portray the physical world we live in on a flat piece of paper or computer screen

Ratings and Reviews

Edmund Cheung
 

Perhaps the style of presentation and simple, short, and direct messaging does not "jive" with some; but others may really love this. Yes the production of each episode is stylized and perhaps a bit formal (like a TV Show?), but there is something to be said about it. Perhaps this is not meant for professional photographers? I think of myself as decent amateur / high level photographer. I found lots of great nuggets of wisdom and inspiration from this. Especially when I an in a rut for creativity. Yes I have heard all these concepts and ideas before. BUT it is always great to hear and see a different way of presentation and voice. Please do NOT take the naysayer reviews as the end all. You should judge for yourself and watch a few episodes. If the style and content click for you, I would highly recommend this course.

Abdullah Alahmari
 

Thanks a lot to mr. Chris Weston This course is great and It is a 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 course for me. Beside the other course ( mastering the art of photography ) both courses are Complementing to each other and highly recommended.

Kai Atherton
 

While I am perhaps more advanced in my photography then this course. It is always great to be able to go back to fundamentals and remind ourselves of the basic principles, and even camera function. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and Chris's other. It is a great motivational jumpstart when lacking fresh creative idea's.

Student Work

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