Walk outside. Do this at various times of day: early morning, later morning, later, high noon, later, later, late afternoon, and then the time of day the sun is dying and the shadows melt to dark puddles of grey.
And when you walk: look at the shadows. Maybe do it first two or three hours after sunrise, when shadows gain strength and come into their own. Walk around and notice only the shadows, ignore the bright light and notice only the blotted signatures of leaves, branches, roofs, telephone wires...early in the day, a single blade of grass casts a sharp shadow. Late, even a mountain's shadow is just a suggested smudge...but notice them all. Seek shadows, ignore what you always saw.
Do this for a few weeks, until light seems a shadow and shadows seem light. Learn the language of shadows.
This one speaks to my photographer's heart. Different times of day, different times of year. The way the weather affects light and shadow quality...
ReplyDelete