Tedric Garrison
                                                                                                                   31 July 2005
                                                                                                                  Word Count: 500
Light is Your Crayon . . .
There’s Always Another Color in the Box.

In my 30 years of photographic experience, I’ve made several great friends who work in Photo Labs. When asked about the biggest mistake they see every day, the response is always: "These people just don't understand light."

Remember: all cameras average the existing light. What that means is, just because you can see it . . . doesn't mean the camera can. The human eye is far more sophisticated than the most expensive camera money can buy. If . . . for example, you stand someone in front of a bright window, your eye can still tell who that person is . . . but the camera can not, at least, not without help. Your eye will zoom into a person's face and ignore that bright light around them, but the camera will not.

The camera's whole purpose in life is to make an image that is 18% gray. Long ago, someone decided that 18% gray was as close to the human eye, as a camera can get. But if for example, 80% of the picture frame is filled with light that is brighter than 18% gray, what does the camera do? It takes your best friend and makes him or her, a silhouette. Don't get mad at the camera, it's only doing what it's been told to do.

Use a flash indoors 90% of the time. The only reason, I don't say 100% is because some events won't allow a flash indoors. If that's the case, get a higher speed film (400 or 800 ISO) and use a tripod. If you can't give a subject more light, give it light for a longer period of time. If you use a flash the camera speed is usually about 1/125th of a sec. or faster.  But if you’re not allowed to use a flash for example, you may shoot available light at 1/30th of a sec. or slower. (That's why I suggest the tripod.)

I use a flash outdoors, about 80% of the time. Why? Just because there’s plenty of light, doesn't mean it's the right kind of light. Bright light causes harsh shadows. I can give a short burst of flash (commonly called: "Fill Flash"), and suddenly my colors are more vibrant and the shadows are less harsh.

Remember, if you want a subject to actually be white (a wedding dress for example) give it more light than the camera suggest. If you want it to actually be black, (a black horse for example) give it less light than what it says. If you shoot indoors, use a flash when allowed. If you shoot outdoors, consider a flash, it might surprise you.

You make the decisions about your photos, not the camera. There are 26 letters in the alphabet, but not every combination makes a great novel. What you do with those 26 letters determines if you are a great writer. What you do with the information your camera gives you, determines whether or not you are a great photographer.