A Personal Photo Challenge - Let There Be Light

It’s time for A Personal Photo Challenge! “Let There Be Light” is the theme this month. 

This challenge had me working down to the wire! Today I am presenting one interior and two landscaping images that prominently feature light.  I used my Nikon D7100 camera and trusty go-to lens, Nikon's 18-200mm zoom.  Of course, I did my customary post-processing on the images using Photoshop CC and various Nik and Topaz plug-in programs. Please click on the photos to see them bigger!

Now that winter weather has arrived, fall colors are a distant memory. But there was one spectacular morning that Mr. Jim and I enjoyed after we got back home from one of his (very) early appointments for radiation therapy. We walked down to the end of our street and watched the sunrise shine its light across our beloved Hardin Valley. I positioned myself to catch a dramatic sidelight, pushing the limits of the camera lens to avoid any sunlight flares in the photograph. I also wanted to showcase in the composition a hint of the valley below and the gentle rolling hills that march across our east Tennessee landscape. I love how the light sparkles on the golden leaves, blazes the tall grasses, and edges the clouds. It was a glorious scene!

kiss of morning light across Hardin Valley

f/9, 1/00 second, ISO 320

I have been on constant watch for a dramatic sky this past month. I finally caught a lucky break one afternoon as we were sitting on the front porch, enjoying some unseasonably warm weather. A storm front was moving in and the clouds were swirling. I bolted for the camera and managed to take a few shots when magical light beams punctured the cloud cover. I used a high speed for this one to stop the motion and get a sharp image.

Genesis 1, Verses 3-4

f/10, 1/1000 second, ISO 400

I usually avoid indoor photography with artificial lighting, so I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone. This third image is a scene that greets everyone at the entrance of our great room. We have a cherry end table positioned at the bottom of the stairway and next to our sofa. One of our favorite stained-glass lamps decorates the table. The miniature Nantucket basket on the table is a new purchase (from a November fine arts craft fair), and I creatively tucked in a little Santa bear for a whimsical touch. 

I opened up the lens (i.e., set a low aperture number) to get a shallow depth of field for the shot. But I needed to ensure that the lamp, Santa bear, and the basket were all in focus. So I placed the Santa bear and basket parallel to the lamp base. I confess that I didn’t use a tripod for the photo shoot, but instead propped my camera on the back of a dining room chair. (Hey, whatever it takes to get the job done! Right?) I also did quite a bit of digital editing in Photoshop to give the image a professional look, including darkening the background, bumping up the contrast, enhancing detail, and adding a blue filter to reduce the effects of a yellow cast of light. I really like how the light bounces up and nudges the the various edges in the lamp design.

illuminated Santa bear

f/5.6, 1/50 second, ISO 640

Now that you’ve seen my photos and read my post, I hope you will visit A Personal Photo Challenge blog and check out the creative efforts of other participants. Thank you so much!