Alright, folks, let’s dive into how I messed around with making a “contrasting light and dark picture.” It’s not rocket science, I promise!
Getting Started
First, I grabbed my phone. You could use any camera, a fancy DSLR, your grandpa’s old film camera, whatever floats your boat. The idea is just to capture something, so don’t get hung up on gear.
Finding the Scene
Next, I wandered around my apartment looking for something interesting. I wanted a strong difference between light and shadow, that dramatic kinda look. I settled on my cat, Mittens, because she loves to sit in the window where the sunlight streams in. It’s her favorite sunbathing spot.
Setting up the Shot
- I made sure the blinds were mostly closed, creating those nice stripes of light.
- I positioned myself so the light was hitting Mittens from the side. This creates strong shadows on the opposite side of her, giving us that contrast we’re after.
- I avoided using the flash on my phone. Flash tends to flatten everything out, and we want those deep shadows!
Taking the Picture(s)
I snapped a bunch of photos. Seriously, like twenty. It is important to take multiple pictures, slightly changing the angle, the focus, maybe even getting closer or further away. Digital photos are free, so no harm in experimenting!
The Editing Magic (Optional)
Okay, so this part is where you can really play around. I uploaded the photos to my computer, but you could even use a phone app. Here’s my picture:
I chose the picture of Mittens I liked the most and then I tweaked a few things:
- I increased the contrast. This made the lights lighter and the darks darker.
- I bumped up the blacks a little bit, making the shadows even deeper.
- I played with the highlights, making the sunlit parts of Mittens pop.
- Sometime I might convert the picture to black and white. That can really emphasize the contrast!
The Result!
And, I get a picture with seriously cool light and shadow action! My photo showcases the stark contrast I was going for.
It’s all about playing around and seeing what works. Don’t be afraid to experiment! It’s just taking pictures, have fun with it!
