Great Light is the Key to Great Photos

People often ask me the key to taking great photos. Well, there are many factors in play, camera gear, lenses, composition, etc., but I really believe the really big thing is - light. To master the use of light will greatly help your picture transform to another level. I'm not talking about the sunlight at high 12PM, and why some photographer insist on shooting with the sun blazing down directly on their subjects escapes me. That light is harsh and washes out your subjects leaving them with not so pretty shots. Now, having to shoot when the sun is blazing can be done, you just have to find the right spots and it becomes much more challenging, shade, behind buildings, under trees in a wooded area, etc. But the best light, in my humble opinion, comes about 1 to 2 hours before the sun sets. Take for instance the following 2 photos. Both were taken about 45 minutes before the sun set. Some slight contrast adjustments, sharpening, color saturation, and here we are...