Outdoor Photography

by Cathy Joseph

Published 4 July 2005
The use of daylight in photography is all too often overlooked. How it is used, controlled, blocked or reflected can materially change how a photograph will look. Combine it with artificial light, be it tungsten or flash, and a whole variety of possibilities will open up. When taking photographs outdoors, light is just one of the many factors that the photographer has to take into account. This image-led book features superb outdoor portraits by top international photographers. Clear text and easy-to-follow diagrams reveal both the physical steps and the initial thought processes involved from brief to finished image. "Outdoor Photography: Portraits" will enable amateurs and professionals alike to create photographs of the highest calibre.

Outdoor Lighting: Nudes

by Cathy Joseph

Published 6 October 2003
The freely nude body and nature just seem to go together, and this lushly designed guide--aimed at professional, keen amateur, and student photographers--reveals the many facets of lighting nude photography outdoors. High-quality color and black-and-white images, drawn from a range of contemporary international photographers, demonstrate a variety of beautiful effects, all using the sun as the principal light source. See how to make the most of light and form, create a mood, and situate the figure within the landscape. Each spread is self-contained, with one or two images illustrating a specific topic, such as working in shade or using flash. The accompanying text explains the background behind these pictures, illuminating the thought processes of the photographers and detailing how composition and location are used to fine effect. Lighting plans, including a diagram of the sun's position and information on any supplementary devices (such as a reflector), will be invaluable for anyone trying to achieve similar results.

In recent years, fashion and glamour photography has shifted away from the false and formal setting of the studio towards greater use of real-life locations and outdoor lighting. This work explores the skills required to get the very best results from daylight - the most versatile and challenging resource at the photographer's disposal. Using images from around the world, it looks at the whole process of conducting a fashion shoot, from the client's brief to the choice of location, the time of day and techniques employed. It gives tips and explanations from the photographers and clear diagrams of the set-up. It also shows a wealth of different ways in which natural light can be controlled, maipulated and artificially enhanced to create a mood, flatter the subject and catch the eye.