We all can use more drama in our lives, right? Especially at home. Who doesn’t like drama at home?
(Crickets)
What?!? Am I alone here??
Wait, I think you misunderstood.
I meant dramatic light. You know, darks and lights intersecting with a gorgeous subject placed just so. Just the thought makes me want to grab my camera (and my unwilling kids).
That kind of drama is always good…at least when we’re speaking photographically. All the other kinds, eh, let’s leave it to the Real Housewives. They are the experts.
I undertook a 365 project this year (highly recommend one!) and photographing my kids in the same house, the same rooms, day after day started to bore me. I wanted to stretch, to change things up, to create beautiful images in my home (and translate that to my client’s homes). Once I started looking for the light, as opposed to looking for the moments, things changed and my images changed.
I am going to write out a list of the best places in and around your home to find that dramatic light. The light that, hopefully, translates to stunning and amazing images that no one will believe you shot in your dirty crowded garage. (Seriously, garage light is the best…see?).
1. Window Light
Well, duh. Of course everyone knows that windows are awesome to shoot near. But, try something different. Try shooting just in the light of the window. Put the actual window out of frame. Turn all the lights off in the room and close the door. Expose for the light on their face. Place your subject where the light falls on the floor. Have them look out the window. Get the catchlights in their eyes. Have them turn, get those deep, dramatic shadows across their face (sometimes they’re good!).
Another way to use window light is at night. Place your subject outside, turn the lights on in the house and let the soft window light fall on their face or try to just blow out the light of a window and then use your subject as a darker area of focus.
2. Computer/TV Light
We all know our kids love the computer. This is not a hard shot to get. This shot below was my kids watching “funny cat videos” on YouTube and it was, by far, the easiest shot I’ve gotten of the two of them in months! Get your subjects in a dark room, turn up the brightness on the computer and wait for that cat to fall in the toilet. Again, expose for the light on their faces.
3. Garage Light
The garage is the valhalla of dramatic light. Open one door, see where the light stops and the shadows start. Place your subject just in the light or just in the darks. Switch it up, place them half and half. Have fun with it.
Does your garage have windows? Lucky you! I shot 50% of my 365 in my garage. This is how I shoot…shut all the doors, open the blinds on one window and place your subject in that light. Don’t actually shoot the window. All you want is that awesome, directional light. That’s the beauty of the garage; it is almost like having a studio with directional studio lights but instead of moving the lights you move your subjects or open another window. I have all my props, a ladder, a fan in my garage. It is my dirty, oil smelling studio.
4. Anywhere Light and Dark Come Together
Look for the light in your home. Check the bottom of the stairs. The bathroom? Anywhere you have lights and darks it is going to make for some dramatic light.
Alright, now you know how to find the light and how to shoot in it….let’s talk editing.
I am a huge fan of blacks and whites in everything but especially with dramatic light. My advice here is to not be afraid of black blacks! I bring the blacks way up when I edit (I am a Lightroom girl). Then I use the heal tool to erase anything that is distracting among the blacks.
Thank you Kate for this incredible and inspirational tutorial! What is your favorite dramatic photo? We’d love to see it! You can post it in the comments below or link us up.
Kate T Parker, Georgia
CMpro
website | facebook | pinterest
I am Kate. A wife, a mother, a photographer based out of Atlanta. I have a terrible memory which I why I started shooting pictures in the first place…then I found my passion. My downfall? Laughing at horribly inappropriate moments and raw cookie dough.
This is great!!
You are so talented, Kate! I LOVE your DP submissions! Great post!
This is FABULOUS. Thanks so much for sharing! Gorgeous, dramatic photos!
Love Kate's work so much! Thanks so much for sharing this. Incredible!
Thank you Kate for this wonderful tutorial. I love dramatic light and you've given me so much inspiration to try some new locations around my home. :)
I love this!!!!!! Your photo's are amazing :)
Your images are beautiful. Thank you for sharing this great information.
Love this! Thank you!! Do you do your own black & white conversions in Lightroom or use presets?
Awesome! Can't wait to play in the dark!!!
Love this! Just beautiful!
I adore kate-she is amazing…so excited my new garage is going to have a window!!!!! Thanks for this great post!
Thank you Kate!
Kate – you are one of the reasons I keep refreshing CM daily project page so frequently. Your images really speak to me and have since the first one I saw. I love your use of dramatic light and editing, and am thrilled with this blog post!
Fantastic post and gorgeous eye candy to go along with it. I'm such a fan – thanks for letting us inside your head a bit! :)
thanks all for the kind comments! and for clickin moms for asking! love sharing tips (and hearing them, too!) :)
Fantastic advice! Here's my fav. low light. ;) http://www.flickr.com/photos/allthestarskaikaesa/…
Love this post, Kate ! Thank you for the great tips and the (daily) inspiration.
Kate, this is fantastic!! Very inspiring post.
I'd wondered about "how'd she do that?" with some of your photos! Glad to know garage light is your BFF! Great post!
This was really great!! I really want to be able to take better indoor shots of my kids. This is great inspiration to find the light!
Lovely article, Kate! Love your work and seeing you on the Daily Project!
LOVE this!! The freckles and the bird? Sigh…. :)
WOW love these images and tips!!! going to try ASAP!!
Kate, you are a master of light and I'm excited to hear your "how tos" on dramatic light since I also shoot a lot indoors!
inspired to try out garage light! Thanks for the post!
wow! stunning images! i wish I had a garage!
your dramatic images always leave me thinking. i adore your work. thanks for a peek inside your process!
Really great article Kate, I love how you use light.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t disappoint me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I truly thought you’d have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.
Hi Kate, thanks for the images and words, they give us good ideas for finding more places around us, even if are not the ideals. I have a question, at what Iso do you usually shoot inside with? Love your work…
Claudia
Wow, AMAZING pictures! Your kids look precious. And thanks so much for the tips :)
Wow, just wow! You rock, thanks for the tips. You got a new fan here!
Very helpful post. Your images and your children are beautiful.
Hello I am fotografo de bodas in Madrid and your advices are fantastic, I am trying to give my pictures a touch of drama light, specially when bride is preparing at home. Maybe switch off the lights in the room and use only windows light can give me this effect very well. I will try.
Best regards,
David Crespo
Wedding photographer Spain
This is so great! Thank you!