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| 'Divine Light', Fine Art Photography by Danuta Antas, 2010 |
Light is a major factor for mood building.
Natural light, the greatest source of which is the Sun, is responsible for all life on Earth and for our seeing and perceiving the reality surrounding us. In Visual Art terms it is the major creator of mood and feelings, the creator of drama in an artwork. Being aware of the nature and quality of natural and man-made sources of light is essential for a conscious creation and avoiding misinterpretation. For photographers, understanding physical nature of light is very important to achieve a proper white balance in their images.
Light helps to put your message across
Like music in movies helps to strengthen the message, certain light may intensify or lessen emotions our work of art is intended to spread. Light is crucial factor for making a true piece of Art and if used wrong, may spoil the whole message we want to convey. We all know how bad portraits shot in a bright light on sunny days look, when deep shadows make a face look ugly, sometimes curved. You must be very careful as to the nature of light you use in your particular art work. The proper use of light is highly mastered in plays, films and at music concerts, but visual artists often seem to forget how important the issue is.
Light may help to arrange your composition
Many artists use light as a key element for building composition, arranging all the objects, colours, shapes and lines in their artworks. Rembrandt was a master of arranging his paintings by means of light, which always directs viewers attention to certain parts of the depicted scenes the painter wished to highlight. Just have a look at the below image, how light directs attention from foreground right part of the scene and then leads diagonally to the background scene on the left. There is no space for ambiguity in this scene, all is clear, no far from the point interpretation.
Light is often used for its spiritual meaning
In this last case, many artists intuitively use light for a proper composition, building drama, and putting their message across and mostly they do it very well.
Personally, spiritual association with bright light or even a tunnel of light is the most important theme I explore in my photography, yet I do it in my own way. While facing a mysterious scene in nature, I first focus on how I really feel in that place, I breathe deeply as if I wanted to connect with the place. Sometimes, I meditate and then after choosing composition for my shot I try to catch the mood. Somehow, contrary to the prevailing fashion in spiritual art, I don't show divine light as a bright purple colour. I don't feel it like that.
Share with us what aspect of light is most important for you?
Light helps to put your message across
Like music in movies helps to strengthen the message, certain light may intensify or lessen emotions our work of art is intended to spread. Light is crucial factor for making a true piece of Art and if used wrong, may spoil the whole message we want to convey. We all know how bad portraits shot in a bright light on sunny days look, when deep shadows make a face look ugly, sometimes curved. You must be very careful as to the nature of light you use in your particular art work. The proper use of light is highly mastered in plays, films and at music concerts, but visual artists often seem to forget how important the issue is.
Light may help to arrange your composition
Many artists use light as a key element for building composition, arranging all the objects, colours, shapes and lines in their artworks. Rembrandt was a master of arranging his paintings by means of light, which always directs viewers attention to certain parts of the depicted scenes the painter wished to highlight. Just have a look at the below image, how light directs attention from foreground right part of the scene and then leads diagonally to the background scene on the left. There is no space for ambiguity in this scene, all is clear, no far from the point interpretation.
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| 'Supper at Emmaus', by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, 1628 |
In this last case, many artists intuitively use light for a proper composition, building drama, and putting their message across and mostly they do it very well.
Personally, spiritual association with bright light or even a tunnel of light is the most important theme I explore in my photography, yet I do it in my own way. While facing a mysterious scene in nature, I first focus on how I really feel in that place, I breathe deeply as if I wanted to connect with the place. Sometimes, I meditate and then after choosing composition for my shot I try to catch the mood. Somehow, contrary to the prevailing fashion in spiritual art, I don't show divine light as a bright purple colour. I don't feel it like that.
Share with us what aspect of light is most important for you?
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| 'Angel's Wing', Fine Art Photography by Danuta Antas, 2010 |
Great article and captivating photography!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lyn. I really appreciate your comment as I know how creative you are and that you lead meaningful life. We share lots of values. I wish you wonderful day:)
DeleteDanka
Actually, you are right. I agree to these four tips. Thanks for sharing them. I appreciate it. I am edified.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this great tips for better understanding light in visual art. These tips are really useful for fine art photography.
ReplyDeletewall art