Feature RJ
May 2010

n this second article with Just Labs, Pointing Dog Journal, and Retriever Journal photography contributor Chip Laughton, we will learn about outdoor conditions to take into account when photographing your dog and the difference between outdoor and indoor picture taking. There are multiple things a photographer must consider when outside: time of day, direction of light, quality of light, and weather conditions. These are basics that, according to Chip, too many people ignore.

Time of Day and Light Quality: “Everyone one has heard of the ‘golden hours’ – the first and last hour or two of the day,” says Chip. He recommends taking pictures during these times because “the colors are more saturated, the shadows are longer, and the light has more of a golden hue.” 

Midday light, on the other hand, “is going to be a more flat, bluish light that is harsh, and the colors are not as pleasing to the eye. If you have to shoot in midday, try to shoot in ‘open shade,’ which is an area of shade that has open sky above it.” Examples Chip cites were the side of a barn and the shaded side of a hill.

As a photographer, shooting only in the golden hours isn’t always available, but, says Chip, “If you have choice, get up a little earlier or be a little late for dinner.” This way, you won’t be fighting light that is too intense.  

Light Direction: “Direction of the light source, outdoors it’s usually the sun, is what photography is all about." 

Front light is the early morning, late afternoon sun when working outdoors. Having the sun directly behind you evenly illuminates the subject. Metering is pretty straight forward, whether shooting in manual or auto-exposure mode.  One thing to watch is the shadow that you, the photographer, cast from the sun; try not to have it in your picture."

Sidelight is best early and brings a three-dimensional look to your images using highlights and shadows.  A photograph is really two dimensional and sidelight brings the viewer into the scene. Sidelighting is at its best in the golden hours when the sun is low and casting a nice, warm glow across your subject."  

Backlight is where you get the beautiful silhouettes. The best ones are that last hour or so of the day.  The light is really orange and gold, and your subjects will be just that – a silhouette – showing very little detail about the subject itself.”

Weather: “Weather is an obvious condition that can affect your images, clouds, rain, and snow. In the last article we mentioned how a bright, snowy day can make for good picture taking. But one of the best shooting conditions is an overcast day. Specifically, the days when the cloud are thin and produce a bright day with out the intense light of the sun, not the ones when the clouds are thick and dark. You can shoot all day in these conditions.  The sun is diffused by the clouds and the light is softer.  The clouds spread the light evenly around and the shadows are softer or non-existent.” 

Action photography in an outdoor setting is definitely a challenge. The main difference between shooting indoors or outdoors? Control. Within four walls, the light can be altered by direction and intensity based on the eye of the photographer and his desired effect on the subject. It could also be pouring rain outside and it doesn't matter, because the weather doesn't follow you indoors.

But you're hunters and your dogs prefer to be outside more than anywhere else. That's why it's best to capture them in their element.



www.daysafieldphotography.com. Photos were included by permission of Chip Laughton.

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