Don’t Look for Location, Look for Light
I get asked how I find such amazing photo locations all the time. The truth is, I don’t look for locations as much as I look for light.
The way the light effects things is absolutely remarkable. So I am very conscious about how the light effects things and where it is coming from.
Here is how I look for locations.
How I find my Locations
I can technically shoot anywhere and make the location interesting simply by being conscious of where the light is coming from.
I can tell right away if a location will work well or not depending on which way it’s facing. for example. If a location is absolutely beautiful but it’s facing East, it won’t work at all to shoot there in the evening when I normally shoot because the sun will be shining right into your subjects face.
However, if it is overcast or early morning, it would be gorgeous.
This is hard to explain to clients who have their on idea of what would be a great backdrop when they’re facing in the wrong direction.
When to Shoot
As I had mentioned before, I almost always shoot in the evening. I do this because it creates nice soft shadows and highlights. If you shoot in the middle of the day, you will get very harsh shadows and highlights.
I also like shooting early in the morning. Or though I don’t get to do this very ofton, you get the same soft shadows and highlights but a much different look than shooting in the evening.
These are all things to consider as you’re looking for your photo location.
Any Location
With this in mind, you can make any location interesting by planing it right.
You could make a dumpster in a back ally an interesting location if the lighting is just right.
