I’ve always been struck by the beauty of light rays seeping into buildings, even in my pre-photography days.
Etched in my mind are scenes like Afternoon Chat by Fan Ho or Grand Central Terminal by Hal Morey. The scenes is interesting in itself. However, it is the dramatic shafts of light that contribute to the striking beauty of the portrait.
I love to dream about how this light must have been a regular occurrence in olden days, when cities were filled with smog and buildings were thick with smoke from cigarettes. I imagine these are the environments in which Fan Ho and Hal Morey created their beautiful pieces of work.
How can we create the perfect conditions in our homes for capturing life’s moments in some magical shafts of light?
1. The light rays
In photography, light is everything. For images with dramatic rays, it helps to seek light with special qualities.
Through windows, look for hard light creating harsh shadows on floors and walls. Note how the light changes around your house, depending on the time of day and season. Capturing this type of dramatic light will be easier towards the start or end of the day, when the sun is lower and will be shining directly through your windows.
As the seasons evolve, light changes so much in my house. Autumn and winter are the best times for me to capture images like the ones shown here. As we enter spring and summer here in Australia, the sun rises so quickly in the morning that it’s hard for me to capture the morning rays in this room. However, the rooms at the back of my house receive gorgeous golden sunset light this time of year. Therefore, I turn my focus there.
Related: How to keep a month-by-month light journal for your home
2. The haze
There are many ways to create the haze that helps to capture these beautiful light rays. For these images, I used a little fog machine which I bought from a local homeware store for $40. These machines give off quite a bit of smoke fairly quickly. Because of this, I let it puff away with the door shut for a while and then wait for the wispy smoke to settle into a soft haze. Once I am happy with the haze, I ask the kids to come in and play!
Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes video I recorded to show you…
Burned food, accidentally or intentionally, will also create a similar look! Make some pancakes, burn toast or sizzle some bacon in the morning and watch as the stunning early light of the day is captured in shafts of hazy light.
So that particles sparkle in the path of the rays, I’ve seen images where photographers shake dusty old rugs or throw flour into the air. There’s also water spray. If your bathroom window catches beautiful light rays, get your kids (or yourself!) in the shower/bath at the right time and capture it in water droplets and steam.
3. The shadows
You will also need to consider the shadows. Capturing light rays is more effective when the light is contrasted against a darker background. Shooting straight into a window won’t result in an abundance of dramatic light rays as they will blend with the general light from the window. You need to position your camera at an angle that will capture light on dark.
4. Getting Playful with Patterns
Playing with different shapes in front of the light source can be fun. I used shutters for most of my images shown in this article as I loved the long rays created through the slats.
However, I used a patterned blind for the below image of my son playing with a rocket as it added more texture and interest to the image.
Play around with different patterned net curtains/fabric in front of the window. Venetian blinds with thin strips will give a different effect to the wide slats on my plantation shutters. One large window with no inner grid will produce one large shaft of light, spotlighting your subject.
Above all, have fun!
My kids love playing in the fog (although it can get a bit thick so I don’t let them play in it for too long). Since I’m in love with the dramatic light rays that it captures, we all make some sweet memories doing this together!
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This is a fantastic article. I totally need a god machine now!
Thanks Jessica, glad you liked it! xx
I mean fog machine. 🙂
I would have never thought to use a fog machine…that’s awesome! Great article!
Thanks Kendra, so pleased you like it! xx
The light is amazing through the windows! Great article — I need blinds like that in my house.
Wonderful Article Amy! Thank you – gotta go get me a fog machine now! 🙂
Amazing article and beautiful images Amy! Always inspiring. The fog machines went on after Halloween sale here and I couldn’t resist buying one. Can’t wait to try it out :).
I have never used one, but would love to!
Great tricks and lovely pictures!
This looks like so much fun!
This is the BEST tutorial AND video I have ever seen!!! Thanks for sharing! I love your self portrait jumping on the bed. 🙂
no, I haven’t!
Beautiful images and great tips!
I have never used a fog machine, but it sounds like fun!
No I have never used a fog machine.
I haven’t used a fog machine, but I think I should give it a try!
I have never considered using a fog machine! I need to get my photography skills up to park
I have never used a fof machine but tjat would be pretty cool!
I’m convinced! I need a fog machine now! I have taken tons of pictures in bacon light, but I’ve never thought to use a fog machine!
This must be my favourite blog post so far. The images are stunning and the content it very informative and inspirational! Thank you!
These are sooo good! I wish my kids were little again – for a lot of reasons – but this would be so fun!
I’ve never used a fog machine but its a genius idea!!
Great tips! I love the idea about the fog machine!
This makes me want to invest in a fog machine now! I loved this and I need some blinds now lol. My windows have none, and well the waythe light was streaming in…heaven!
I’ve never even thought of using a fog machine but love the idea! Great article!
So incredibly beautiful and inspiring.
I have not used a fog machine – but it is definetly on my list of things to do!!!
So often I stay away from harsh light because of the shadows – but now I might have to look for it on purpose! Great article.
Great article! Such an affordable idea.
I have used one … but only for Halloween! I read your article actually a few days ago. I love light coming in so softly and beautifully through windows. But after reading, I was left with one question – do you have go-to settings that capture rays of light better than others? Like for example, the first image under “1. Light”. I mean many of the images have some degree of rays visible, but that particular image really does!
great idea! Never used one but will probably try now : )
I’ve never used a fog machine, but now I totally need one 😉
Beautiful images, Amy!!!!
So beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing.
What a great tutorial and I loved the little movie. Your son is so adorable and willing 🙂 Thanks for all the inspiration.
Love this blog post and would love to hear what your settings were for these beautiful images.
I have never used a fog machine, but this is a very cool idea :0)
I am amazed at how simple it is to get those glorious hazy light rays! I had no idea! I appreciate you sharing your awesome tips with us, I can’t wait to try them soon!
Can’t wait to try this!
Ms. Shire,
Thanks for this. It’s beautiful and inspiring. I imagine you’ll look back at these images in decades hence and their emotional power will only grow. It’s so generous of you to let us get a glimpse of not only the results, but the actual thought processes and techniques you used to create them. Those are lucky youngsters to have such a talented and generous mother. Again, thanks.
I need to get a fog machine!!! <3 🙂
I have just discovered your blog and will for sure stay and take a look around. This tutorial is excellent and your photos are beautiful. Would you mind sharing a few hints about how you post processed the photos to give them those lovely warm tones? Thanks!
Thank you Amy! I saw this article on Pinterest and it took me to this page! I am so glad I clicked to it! Your work is beautiful and heart warming! I felt drawn in to your home, like I was actually there! Thanks for the mini vacation lol. I love dramatic light and shadow in photography. never thought of using a fog machine. Thanks again for sharing! Best Wishes from San Diego, Ca USA
Love the article! Can I borrow your house?:) You are so lucky with the space and light!
Wow! These are great looking pictures. The shading with the shutters is awesome. I look forward to looking through your blog and finding more wonderful pics!
Wow! These are some great pics. What a great usage of light. My daughter is just into photography and she will love these ideas. Thanks for sharing.
That’s it I wan’t a fog machine…
What a great idea! Never would have imagined it was from a fog machine. Can’t wait to try it…thank you for sharing!!