2 months ago
40
13
Posted On: September 8th 2026, 02:53 pm
"The Theory of Good Light/Bad Light"
It's a known fact that light can make or break a good photo. Golden hour, blue hour, sunrise, sunset --- good light matters as much, if not more, than any lens, filter, film, or camera.
But what about the midday light? What about the light every photographer tells you will ruin a photo? Can it not be beautiful in its own way? I say yes. One of my favorite times to shoot is from noon until about 4:30 in Tennessee. Nothing conveys the summer heat like the light at that time. The light gives high contrast shadows and the highlights create dreamiest halations with the use of a ProMist filter. I think the harshness of midday light is definitely not suitable for everything though. Photos of people are not always the most flattering as the shadows fall across the face in strange ways, so in this case I agree about the harsh midday light.
The light also makes it a little difficult for a bald ass unc like me to get out and not turn "grilled cheese crispy" in the sun. I'm pretty sure I have permanent tan lines thanks to my Birkenstock Arizona sandals. Going out at these times is, in itself, Mother Nature's very own escape room where you find yourself running from the shade of one thing to another. Regardless, I love shooting at this time of day.
Altogether, photography, and the beauty found therein, is up to the artist and will be seen or interpreted differently. In other words, whatever floats your boat.
...
📍 Tennessee, USA, 2026
📸 Sony A7RII with Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 and Pentax-M SMC 50mm f/1.8
#streetphotography
#sonyalpha
#pentax
It's a known fact that light can make or break a good photo. Golden hour, blue hour, sunrise, sunset --- good light matters as much, if not more, than any lens, filter, film, or camera.
But what about the midday light? What about the light every photographer tells you will ruin a photo? Can it not be beautiful in its own way? I say yes. One of my favorite times to shoot is from noon until about 4:30 in Tennessee. Nothing conveys the summer heat like the light at that time. The light gives high contrast shadows and the highlights create dreamiest halations with the use of a ProMist filter. I think the harshness of midday light is definitely not suitable for everything though. Photos of people are not always the most flattering as the shadows fall across the face in strange ways, so in this case I agree about the harsh midday light.
The light also makes it a little difficult for a bald ass unc like me to get out and not turn "grilled cheese crispy" in the sun. I'm pretty sure I have permanent tan lines thanks to my Birkenstock Arizona sandals. Going out at these times is, in itself, Mother Nature's very own escape room where you find yourself running from the shade of one thing to another. Regardless, I love shooting at this time of day.
Altogether, photography, and the beauty found therein, is up to the artist and will be seen or interpreted differently. In other words, whatever floats your boat.
...
📍 Tennessee, USA, 2026
📸 Sony A7RII with Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 and Pentax-M SMC 50mm f/1.8
#streetphotography
#sonyalpha
#pentax
Comments (13)
2 months agowarriorquaker
I tend to think that light is neither good nor bad...our use of manipulation thereof (and positioning relative to) are the good/bad elements...and as with everything, taste is subjective. You can make some things look great that I never could and we each get our style. Keep doing great shots! Interestingly, the shot in the three store mall highlighted those beams and I've not noticed them recently...beautiful craftsmanship! Thanks for bringing that "to light."
2 months agoartistand89
Sick shots - especially the old mall. Some of the houses remind me of my Inglewood East Nash neighborhood.
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