Ambient Light Photography

Saturday Ambassador

Ambient light refers to the light which exists normally in a scene, such as natural sunlight or light fixtures used to illuminate a room's interior in the course of everyday living. Often, we add artificial light to a scene to make it appear more "natural", such as using strobes to imitate sunlight. This is a very effective technique, and many scenes would be quite unremarkable without it.

Architectural Exterior, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2013

This architectural exterior was shot at dusk, but two powerful tungsten lights were applied to the front of the structure to enhance the impression that the light is from the setting sun.

What happens, however, when the subject is too large or too far away to light artificially? You still have a number of options:

1.    Wait for the sun to come out.

 

 Schneider National Carriers Advertisement, Alda, Nebraska, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2012

 

 

2.    Create a long exposure to maximize the existing light.

Truck on Vail Pass, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2011

3.    Find interesting subjects that produce their own light.

ASARCO Ray Mine, Winkelman, Arizona, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2013

Be creative and bold in your efforts, try new things at every opportunity, push your limits and have fun doing it!

 

~Saturday Ambassador