Combining Light and Texture in Photos

When shooting photos of inanimate objects, combining light with different textures can give you a very interesting image, different from a typical photo of that object. Successfully combining light and texture requires some planning and some thinking about the angles at which you’ll shoot, though. Use these tips to successfully combine light and texture in your photos.

• As you attempt to shoot light and texture in your photos using the sun, you’ll quickly learn that the angle and intensity of the sun against the surface will give you a variety of looks. So, if you just can’t seem to achieve the look you want with a particular texture, try waiting 30-60 minutes, or return to the scene 30-60 minutes earlier the following day, and you’ll find a completely different angle of the sun, which can give you a different look.

• When shooting a vertical surface (such as a wall) that contains an interesting texture, consider shooting at mid-day, when the sun is high in the sky and will create a cool shadow and light pattern on the textured vertical surface. The light can bring out any bumps and pits in the surface.

• If you can set up some artificial lighting when the sun is not available, try shooting the same vertical textured surface with a light along the ground, pointing upward. You’ll again end up with a nice mix of shadows and light.

• You also can create interesting textures when the sun is low in the morning or evening sky, when the shadows are long.

• If you want to shoot an object that contains no natural texture, consider using a light source that creates the illusion of texture. For example, you could use light shining through window blinds or through the bars of a fence. The light then creates an interesting shadow onto another object, which can give the illusion of texture.

• Additionally, with interesting and harsh shadows available, it may be a good time to shoot in black and white. However, some textures may be difficult to see as clearly in a black and white photo versus a color photo, so you need to take a little extra time to make sure you’ll end up with the effect you want if you choose to shoot in black and white.

• Finally, consider using more than one texture in the photo, if possible (as shown in the photo above). If you have side-by-side textures that are different from each other, you can potentially create a very interesting photo. Try some different lighting sources and angles to see which ones will yield the exact look you want.