Due to the ubiquity of camera-equipped smartphones capable of taking increasingly impressive photographs, more people are becoming familiar with the artistry involved in photography. With a wide range of filter options, these amateur photographers get to experience firsthand the effect that even the slightest of alterations can have on an image’s composition. Despite this enhanced access, a quick scan of Instagram and other photo-sharing websites quickly reveals that there is a lack of understanding regarding the impact of differing light sources. Murziline Parchment has therefore suggested that aspiring photographers take the time to develop a greater understanding of how to take a great photograph in every light condition.
Most photographers — amateur or otherwise — tend to be particularly interested in understanding the light conditions that will be most flattering for their subjects. Two light sources capable of enhancing any photographic subject immediately come to mind: natural light and halogen light. Through the use of halogen lights, photographers have found that the best features of their subjects tend to be enhanced in a way that was once thought to only be possible under ideally timed natural light conditions. As Murzline Parchment has noted, the fact that natural light conditions are obviously impossible to control means that halogen lights represent one of the most effective and widely available options for photographers of all ability levels.
Once photographers have developed this understanding, the next step is to learn how to arrange and manipulate halogen lights to yield the most desirable results. It is also important to consider the fact that it is not always possible to utilize halogen lighting in every circumstance, so photographers have to be able to figure out how to use existing sources of light to their advantage. This may involve moving subjects to a more suitable location or altering the position of their pose to enhance their best features, but amateur photographers may not be willing to do this when they are simply trying to capture a moment in the most organic way possible.
According to Murziline Parchment, this is a common issue for photographers of all ability levels. Being able to control the various conditions that influence the final photographic outcome is clearly important, but it may also result in photographs that hardly reflect reality. So how can photographers achieve the kind of balance that leads to aesthetically pleasing images that do not appear rigid or forced? Many professionals suggest that the use of appropriate filters along with an investment in editing software makes it possible to create consistently outstanding photographs even in the absence of halogen lights or ideal natural light conditions.
Of course, editing software can be quite expensive, and there are obvious limitations when photographers only have access to the camera that is included with their smartphone. While there are some interesting lens attachments that work quite well with a smartphone, most experienced photographers will be quick to note that no one should ever expect to take consistently outstanding photographs while only using a smartphone. No amount of insight into light conditions or filter options will overcome the simple fact that a phone is not capable of yielding a photograph comparable to the images taken with professional-grade equipment.
It seems clear that aspiring photographers will eventually have to invest in quality equipment if they are serious about photography as a form of artistic expression rather than just a fun and interesting recreational pursuit. Given the expenses associated with this kind of equipment, Murziline Parchment suggests that it is probably more ideal to first learn the tricks of the trade involving light conditions and filter options before moving on to more serious equipment. This strategy will ensure that aspiring photographers have a better understanding of the right equipment for their purposes, as there are many variables to consider that are unlikely to be very clear without a great deal of personal experience.