Friday, 14 October 2011
PhotoPlay: Contre-Jour, a Reason to Take Pictures
I remember the darkness. The darkness and the photos.
In the two years after the birth of my first child, I lived in the shadow of severe postpartum depression that erased all memory except the moments and light I captured on camera. I felt as if I couldn’t see during those long months, thanks to the ravages of imbalanced hormones.
On the hardest days, I pointed my camera away from the dark into light. My photos became a sort of journal, a record of an otherwise forgotten time. I pored over the images, discovering how light banished darkness and changed everything it touched. I learned about bokeh and flare. I photographed sunsets.
What began in defiant light-seeking became a way for me to engage God. I’d hurl my doubts into the light as I took aim on an object that blocked it, daring God to make beauty where I wasn’t seeing any. Light filled my lens, obliterating hard edges from everything in front of it, remaking even the ordinary into something wonderful.
PhotoPlay
Friends describe my work with light as “The Kelly Effect.” This effect depends largely on contre-jour, a French term that means literally “against the light.” Claire Burge asked me to share the technique with you for this month’s PhotoPlay. I’m delighted.
To make a “Kelly” use of contre-jour, turn your camera toward the light and position your subject between the camera and the light source.
Focus your lens on your subject before angling the camera (in any direction) until the light filters across the object directly into your lens.
The amount of light in the photo depends on how directly you focus on the light source. If you focus only on the source, everything surrounding the light will be darker.
If you focus above or below or to the side of your source, you can fill the whole image with light, transforming your subject.
Directions for October’s PhotoPlay:
Choose a subject and a light source. (I recommend sunlight.)
Follow the steps above to infuse an image with light.
Share your images by uploading them to the High Calling Focus Flickr Group by Wednesday, October 19, for a spot in the gallery and a possible feature at The High Calling.
Tag your images with “Photoplay 19″ and “THC.”
Editor’s note:
If you’re inclined to go a step further, join our poet friends at Tweetspeak who are asking Why poetry? by writing a poem about Why photography? or Why Poetry?.
Drop your poem link on the T. S. Poetry Press Facebook Wall by Wednesday, October 19 and your poem may get featured here or at Tweetspeak or Every Day Poems.
No. 1 — October 14th, 2011 at 9:42 am
I love this play with light – I need to do more of that. Beautiful post.
No. 2 — October 14th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Ah, direct hazy back-lighting is my fav. I'm in.
No. 3 — October 16th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
ok seriously, this is HARD Kelly! I tried all day today. I think I have like 4 shots, maybe, that will work. :)
Is this where I get to say, "do it again do it again!" because the joy I felt in the challenge was INcredible.
No. 4 — October 16th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
oh I'm so glad! I was really worried about this one – I can't wait to see what you've found!
No. 5 — October 17th, 2011 at 8:19 am
So thankful to be following along with you on this journey of life, faith, and photography.
I just came across High Calling Focus and I am thankful I did. Blessings to you.
No. 6 — October 17th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
[...] (literally meaning “against the light”) — what the rest of us call “The Kelly Effect” — and we have been invited to try out Kelly’s dance with [...]
No. 7 — October 18th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Thankful for a brief 15 minutes of sunlight today! Shot like crazy and was surprised by what I got. Thanks for a fun new idea to play with! :)
No. 8 — October 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Not sure about the outcome, but it was a fun challenge.
No. 9 — October 18th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
I'd been trying to capture this tree in my backyard- trying to get the image in my head out in the camera- all through spring, summer, and especially now, in fall- and after reading this I had a total aha moment. It's still not quite what I'm seeing in my head, but it is so much closer. And, like Jenny, I am crazy to try for more shots now, edging ever closer to what I see in my head. A true gift, friend. Can't wait to see what others came up with.
No. 10 — October 19th, 2011 at 7:07 am
[...] move from automatic to manual in desperation of wanting to catch her, just-so. Kelly tells of contre-jour, and I turn the camera, and there she is- this friend of the Spirit, ministering to me in her [...]
No. 11 — October 20th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Beautiful photos, and beautiful reminder of our source of light.
No. 12 — October 24th, 2011 at 1:38 am
Well, I missed the photoplay because I was busy with life and school. But this is something I have wanted to try and to understand for a long time. So, I am going to go out and practice this week. Even though it's past time to link up with all of you, I will send you a link if I get something dreamy!
I'm bookmarking this page:)
Tell Claire "thanks" from me. Hope I'm back with something!
Blessings,
Janis
No. 13 — October 25th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I loved this post! I love capturing light and try to do more of it, I will definitely add my photos to the flickr group!