LIGHTING THE SUBJECT.
The lighting of your subject is a matter of importance, having much to do with the results obtained and enhancing the value of the composition. Beginners, as a rule, when making exposures in the sunlight, should have the sun behind the back or over the shoulder, but the advancement of the amateur warrants further information on the pictures may frequently be made by having the sun to one side, and at various times the value of the picture is increased by its being a trifle to the front. (In this case it is necessary to shade the lens to keep out dire& sunlight while mak ing the exposure.) For illustration we will take a tree in the bright sunshine ; now if you will take the trouble to walk around it and closely observe the different effects of light and shade you will notice that when you face the tree and the sun is directly back of you that the tree has the appearance of being flat ; as you move gradually to the right or left vou will see that part of it is in shadow, and as you arrive at an angle of 90 degrees with your first position you will find that one side is in the sunlight while the opposite side is in shadow, and that it stands out with the pleasing contrast of light and shade, thus giving depth and roundness to the composition of vour piEture. The
shadows are also to be studied. These should be transparent to a degree, always containing detail. Heavy black shadows devoid of detail are always a detriment to the composition of your When the sun is very bright and the lights are strong while the shadows are black, the result with a snap shot would be too much contrast. This can be overcome by a very, very short time exposure, resulting in a softening of the high lights and an added amount of detail to the shadows.
When photographing boats, the point of view to be obtained (if possible) should be such that the shadow effects on the water are made to help the composition.
The above gives one an idea of lighting from which he can work, increasing or decreasing the light and shade according to his fancy.