Photography has changed the way I look at the world and I so wish it had happened years ago.  

One of my favourite learning modules in my photography course was call Lighting.  It opened up a whole new world for me to see. I realised light can affect how we see things in so many ways.  The warmth or coolness of its colour can effect our emotions and make us feel a certain way.  The direction and softness of a light can change our perception of a person, making them more appealing or even the exact opposite.  When it comes down to it, lighting is probably the most important component to consider when taking a photo.  

That photography course encouraged me to go outside and look up and around me, and to see the world in a different way.  I took more notice of how the sun shone through the leaves in the trees and the beautiful colours that emerge on peoples faces during the "Golden Hour" of sunset.  I now try and catch a glimpse of the sunset whenever I can because no two are the same and when I'm up early enough I stand and watch the morning glow come across the horizon (albeit from the window above my kitchen sink!).

I love playing with light now, whether it be natural or artificial, and finding out how it effects my photos.  It's like an addiction! Every family walk involves me whipping my head from side to side checking out where, if I had my camera with me, would be the best place for photos. My poor hubby has sometimes had to endure one-sided conversations as my attention gets pulled elsewhere!

Even when I watch TV now I'm taking note of what lighting is used during movies, interviews and tv series.  Have a look next time you see a one-on-one interview with a Celeb.  Without doubt most of the them will have something called a hair light on them. Its a light source whose main job is to throw light onto a persons hair from behind. Here is a great example....https://www.cinema5d.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/backlight-copy.jpg. Its one of those things that I never noticed before, but now notice all the time.

​Enough of my rambles about light and how wonderful it is.  To finish off I want to ask one thing of anyone who reads this.  Next time you see a sunset or are out and about during the "golden hour" before sunset, just stop and look around you. Take note of how the setting sun makes our amazing planet look so beautiful.

Cheers and Have a great weekend.

Michelle