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Photography - Painting or Drawing with Light

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By jill of alltrades


When I was small (not that I have grown much bigger!), I used to dream of becoming a painter/artist. I would finish a whole box of crayons and several pads of paper in a week. I would draw and color everything that I can think of. Whenever I see something that I would like to capture on paper but couldn’t do (because my drawing would not turn out the way I imagined a scene), my heart would bleed a little. I would be frustrated and just end up saying “I wish I could paint (or draw) that".

However, my dream of becoming a painter/artist was not to be. Why? That’s another story.

Then I discovered photography and learned that if I just followed the light, then I could create and paint beautiful pictures too.

I presented in a previous hub some abstract photos of nature that I painted with my camera (http://hubpages.com/hub/Nature-Abstract-in-Photography). What I wish to present in this hub are pictures I enjoyed painting through photography.


Sunset colors taken from a plane window

What is Photography?

According to Wikipedia, - “The word "photography" comes from the Greek φώς (phos) "light" + γραφίς (graphis) "stylus", "paintbrush" or γραφή (graphê) "representation by means of lines" or "drawing", together meaning "drawing with light." Traditionally, the products of photography have been called negatives and photographs, commonly shortened to photos”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography

So, photography literally means painting or drawing with light. And following the light is one of the best lessons I have learned in my photography adventure.

I already mentioned the sparkle of light in my hub on raindrops (http://hubpages.com/hub/RaindropsA-Few-of-my-Favorite-Things). This time, I present photos created when I followed the light and painted pictures with it. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed putting them together for this hub.

Sunrise

Morning has broken
Morning has broken
A farm at the break of dawn
A farm at the break of dawn
In the wee small hours of the morning
In the wee small hours of the morning
reflection
reflection

noon

Paraws (sailboats)
Paraws (sailboats)

Sunset

as the sun goes down
as the sun goes down
flock of birds
flock of birds
sailing
sailing
twilight time
twilight time
ferry
ferry

People

Partially lighted happy faces
Partially lighted happy faces
Silhouette
Silhouette
Jump pictures are best taken against the dying light of sunset
Jump pictures are best taken against the dying light of sunset

The Golden Hour

If you noticed, most of my photos were taken either during early morning or late in the afternoon. These times are what photographers call the "golden hour" or "magic hour". During this time, the light is softer, warmer and most pleasing to the eye.

So painting with light (especially if you want to paint landscapes or seascapes or even portraits) is best done during this "golden hour".  

Comments

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Shalini Kagal profile image

Shalini Kagal  says:
2 months ago

Jill - I'm proud to be the first here - these are soooo incredibly beautiful - pictures that speak to you. Wonderful stuff!

I've always been a fan of la lumiere anglais - guess the golden hour is as nice :)

poetlorraine profile image

poetlorraine  says:
2 months ago

your subject choices and your photographs are spectacular, well done you.......... x

jiberish profile image

jiberish  says:
2 months ago

Beautiful!

tynee  says:
2 months ago

hi babes, how did you get the sailboats to pose?

beautiful!

QuirkyPearl profile image

QuirkyPearl  says:
2 months ago

I have never heard of the Golden hour or Painting with light, what a lovely description of those particular times of day. I really liked the children laughing and the last two shots of the silhouettes are great.

When I was small (not that I've grown much bigger) That comment made me giggle, hahaha.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hi Shalini,

That was quick! I noticed that you posted almost right after my hub was published.

Thank you very much for your wonderful opening salvo! I always treasure your comments! "La lumiere anglais" - I like that!

Hello poetlorraine,

Thanks for visiting and leaving a heartwarming comment!

Hi jiberish,

Thanks very much! That's short and sweet!

Hello tynee,

Ha ha ha, I just told them "ready...set...smile!" Thank you very much!

Hi QuirkyPearl,

I'm happy that you learned something new here. Thank you very much. I really appreciate your wonderful comment.

Ha ha ha, I'm petite, so my size is always the subject of ribbing at home. I guess I could not resist that.

M Burger profile image

M Burger  says:
2 months ago

I love looking at your photos. It gives me inspiration and ideas for my own.

DeBorrah K. Ogans profile image

DeBorrah K. Ogans  says:
2 months ago

Jill of alltrades,

Absolutely Wonderful! I think you are a "Photographic Artist!" It is wonderful how the light illuminates these photos during the "golden hours!" Again WONDERFUL!

Thank you for sharing.

Blessings!

sarovai profile image

sarovai  says:
2 months ago

Photos speaks. Very natural. thank u jill of alltrades.

wavegirl22 profile image

wavegirl22  says:
2 months ago

your pictures were just what I needed after a long day . .perfect to close the week especially on such a cold and nasty day as we had in NY today, they made me feel so warm. Must be all the waves of light shinning in)

really just beautiful!

coffeesnob profile image

coffeesnob  says:
2 months ago

Jill - absolutely beautiful. Your pictures are fantastic and your article is delightful to read. I love the personal touch along with the informative.

My husband uses a term called sweet light - it's that time in the evening just before the sun goes down and the light is exquisite and seems to glow around objects. He says that's the time he likes to shoot. I thank God for your artistic gift; it so inspires me and motivates me to create.

Ah! Wonderfully liberating rays of sunshine

Conquest over darkness; resiliance illuminated

Breaking through the morning hour

Victory! Victory! Resounds my soul

Shouting hallelujas, Oh Praise God, Morning has broken.

God bless you, friend!!!

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hi M Burger,

Thank you very much! Thank you for those heartwarming words!

Hello DeBorrah,

What a beautiful compliment! You just made my day!

You are most welcome!

Hi sarovai,

Thank you very much for visiting and leaving a wonderful comment!

Hello wavegirl22,

You just made me very happy with your comment. I am most grateful for your inspiring words.

My dear coffeesnob,

You always say the nicest things. You make me happy and inspire me to do even better.

Wow! You were able to write that verse right here? Such talent! You are just amazing! Thank you!

God bless you too my friend!

coffeesnob profile image

coffeesnob  says:
2 months ago

Jill,

Well, as I said, you inspire me too :)

pinkhawk profile image

pinkhawk  says:
2 months ago

wow, this is incredibly amazing! :)... so light is extremely important in photos! thank you for the information and for sharing..

Enelle Lamb profile image

Enelle Lamb  says:
2 months ago

Absolutely beautiful photos my dear - you definitely have an eye for detail and framing! Love them - thanks for showing us your vision - awesome work!

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hi coffeesnob,

Thank you very much! Ha ha ha, now we have a mutual admiration society!

Hello pinkhawk,

Thank you very much for visiting and leaving a wonderful comment! Yes, light is actually the most important element in a photograph.

Hi Enelle,

It's nice to hear from you again. Thank you very much! Your comment warms my heart!

lancen  says:
2 months ago

hi Jill.. can I do this using my canon ixus 960 is? I love photography but I dont have enough money to buy DSLR. I hope you ca give me some advise about playing with the camera and maximizing its potential.. thank you so much and I love your photo works..

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hi lancen,

Yes, you definitely can! You don't need a DSLR to take beautiful pictures. Most depends on the photographer, not the camera.

Sure, I will be very happy to help you. I started the same way. As I mentioned, following the light is the best tip I ever learned in photography. The other important thing is - know your camera and what it is capable of. Then you are on your way to beautiful pictures.

Drop me a line in my email (check my profile page) and we can talk. Check out my photoblog too (link is in my profile page).

Thank you very much for your comment. You have made me happy!

cgull8m profile image

cgull8m  says:
2 months ago

These pictures are very inspiring, thanks to nature and your eye for capturing this beautiful moments.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hi cgull8m,

It's nice to see you again! Thank you very much for leaving an inspiring comment!

tony0724 profile image

tony0724  says:
2 months ago

Jill I am sure I will sound like a broken record , but I just love your photography ! I am comin to the Phillipines so you can take pictures of me for my photo gallery hub . And I will throw In a Pizza as a down payment for your work ! Those sillhouettes are awesome ! Your Pal Tony !

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hey Tony,

That's great! Tell me when you are coming so I can take your photo. Then we can tell hubpages that 2 hubbers have met.

Pizza is good!

Thank you very much for appreciating my photography! You have made me happy!

tim-tim profile image

tim-tim  says:
2 months ago

Breathtaking! Thanks for sharing! Love the photos:)

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
2 months ago

Hello tim-tim,

Thanks for visiting and for leaving this inspiring comment!

emievil profile image

emievil  says:
6 weeks ago

Very beautiful pics. How do you take them? :) Thanks for sharing this to us jill of alltrades.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
6 weeks ago

Hi Emie,

Thank you very much! How do I take them? It's rather a subjective thing I suppose, but as I shared here, following the light is the most important aspect of photography for me.

Carmen Borthwick profile image

Carmen Borthwick  says:
6 weeks ago

Wonderful photographs Jill. You look through the lens with the eye of an artist. Another great time to take photos is when the sun has almost set yet there are no shadows. It is truly an amazing phenomenon that a photographer friend pointed out to me one night. There was a light dusting of snow covering the field behind his townhouse and not one single shadow, it doesn't happen often but I watch for it now. I also like to shoot into the sun, it creates very abstract images. Thanks for sharing your photography with us, you are gifted.

PS amazing how you got the sailboats to pose like that LOL

Your new fan, Carmen

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
6 weeks ago

Hello Carmen,

Thank you very much for your kind words! You make me happy.

Hey, I didn't know about that, about that special time where there is no shadow. I think I'll watch out for that. Thank you very much for telling me about it.

I'd like to see your photos. Do you have them in your hubs? I'm heading over there after I send this.

Thanks again!

James A Watkins profile image

James A Watkins  says:
6 weeks ago

What a wonderful eye and fine skills you have as a photographer. I love every one of these. Thank you for sharing them with me. Beauty to behold.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
6 weeks ago

James,

Such inspiring words! I really appreciate them because they are coming from a true artist.

Thank you very much!

Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
6 days ago

beautiful and inspiring photos. My husband is mad on photography. Sometimes especially when traveling around australia he would take as many as 700 photos in a day.

He would take pics of anything like 2 ants crossing the road as simple as that but the sunrise and sunsets that time of day and water reflections are the best.

nikki1 profile image

nikki1  says:
4 days ago

love your photos. Just gave you a thumbs up.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
4 days ago

Hi Eileen,

Thank you very much for your inspiring comment. Your husband sounds great!

I also do that, take pictures of ants and other things that people normally don't pay much attention to. Check out my bugs hub and my ants hub.

jill of alltrades profile image

jill of alltrades  says:
4 days ago

Hello nikki1,

Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment. I really appreciate your giving me a thumbs up.

God bless!

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Photography - Painting or Drawing with Light in the News

  • Meetings and calendarSequim Gazette23 hours ago

    Meetings are listed based on written notification to The Gazette. Listings can be sent to The Gazette through e-mail at donnam@sequimgazette.com, faxed to 683-6670, mailed to P.O. Box 1750, Sequim WA 98382 or dropped off in our office at 147 W. Washington, Sequim.

  • DetailsDetailsCentre Daily Times31 hours ago

    A list of events in and around Centre County. To submit information for DetailsDetails, e-mail Heather Longley or call 814-231-4617.

  • 12/18/09 ArtYakima Herald-Republic30 hours ago

    FIRST FRIDAY ART WALKS. Visit participating galleries the first Friday of each month. * Red Gallery and Studios in downtown Yakima: 5-8 p.m. Open studio for adults and clay demostration in upstairs gallery and lounge. 509-469-2766, redgalleryandstudios.blogspot.com.

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