Light is vastly complex.

It only takes being a photographer for 1 minute to realize this.

Photography comes from the Greek words "drawing with light".

As we become better at reading light, we become better at drawing with it.

Start learning how to read light well

The best thing you can do right now to improve your photography is to obsess over reading light.

There is basic light, and then there are layers of even more complex light (like in the photo above with the couple and the classic car).

Complex light interacts in a zillion different ways in the space, objects and depths in your photos.

Right now you might be able to see 5 interesting things about light.

Continue studying light over many years, and I promise you in 10 years, you'll see 50 new remarkable things about that same light.

The key to understanding light: learning how to study it

I can teach you the technical aspects of light, that's the easy part.

But really knowing light on a deeper level takes a type of intuition and unique personal perspective that I could never teach you.

That's the creative side of lighting. Developing your sensitivity to it is something you can only do yourself...

...and you do this by practicing seeing.

Don't borrow my way of seeing, reading, feeling and responding to light. Then you'll be an imitator, and not an artist!

Instead, learn the technical aspects of light, then focus on diving deep into your own personal reactions to light, how it makes you feel, how it responds to the subjects you put in it, and how you choose to capture it with your camera.

How to start today

First, refresh your knowledge on the basic technical aspects of light:

• soft light gives soft shadows, a clear view of your subject and a plain, straight-forward view of a scene.
• hard light gives harsh shadows, more dramatic lighting and more dynamic views.
• the direction of light will affect how a subject is seen. Side light for amplified texture, front light for bright, clear views, and back light for a moodier, more dramatic feel.
• over exposing dark areas and under exposing bright areas will give you the widest range of light tones (like in the couple with car photo above)

Second, take those thoughts and experiment with it:

1. Move the light.

2. Move the subject.

3. Change the direction of light.

4. Change the intensity of light.

5. Move your camera in different angles.

6. Play with shadows.

7. Block the light.

8. Release the light.

9. Let the light happen.

10. Or wait for good light to come.

...and so on and so on.

All of this ↑ is what I call practicing seeing light.

There are a zillion things you could do to light and to your subject interacting with that light.

→ The key is to practice experimenting.

I can't do the experimenting for you

You have to do the experimenting yourself. Something inside your brain and your heart changes whenever you learn something new about light.

That is the key to becoming an artist and becoming an individual photographer with your own unique perspective.

That change in your brain and your heart is the coding you need to become a better photographer and artist.

That's gold. That's what makes you special.

That's the reason why there are millions of photographers and there's still room for more photographers to contribute to the making of art on this planet.

Just as every human is unique, every photographer will have a unique style.

Develop it for yourself. Enjoy the process. And please share it with others. ;)

Start editing in Lightroom Mobile (a free app)

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Hi I'm Gabrielle. I run a full time photography business in Winnipeg, specializing in portrait and commercial photography. This newsletter started with my passion for helping everyday people realize their full photography potential. With a bit of technical and creative help, you too can take better photos with the phone camera you already have.

Find more of my resources here:

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Gabrielle Touchette Photography

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