God Beams
Posted May 31st, 2008 in [hide]Light is the essence of photography, as we can see from the word roots. ( Photo = Light; Graph = Visualization, Display ) Most landscape photographers take this to mean shooting during the Golden Hour, and for good reason. Incident light falls on our subject from its source - often the sun - before reflecting off the subject, to the camera.
The tonal quality of the light can play more role in the final image than, perhaps, any other single factor. We can see this in the work of Ansel Adams ( the crosses of Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico; the clouds in Clearing Winter Storm ) or Sebastiao Salgado ( Sudanese Refugee Camp, Boys in Mexico City ). 
Both men produced gorgeous zone-system exposures, but, two of these show light filtering through the atmosphere. Black and white zone system photography highlights the effect, but it can work well in color, too.
Dust particles in the air can be one of the easier ways to capture the filtering light effect. Storms are harder. Water droplets suspended in the air can reflect the light perfectly, as Old Ansel showed us. Unfortunately, low hanging fog tends to block the sunlight; finding the right conditions can be difficult. Edges of storms are most likely to catch the light - and let enough of it through to make a good exposure.
Atmospheric lighting is an element, not a whole photo. It can highlight form, and it can add spectacular highlights to fill the spectrum of brightness. Diagonal lines add to a good compositional in genera, holding the viewer’s attention, guiding the eye through the frame.
In the photo above, from Big Sur, California, the sun opens a spotlight into the redwood forest. The woods themselves provide enough form and texture to balance the lighting effects. Here, tree branches cut into the sunlight, creating patterns of smaller beams. A thick canopy high above darkens the the forest floor, reinforcing the spotlight effect from the narrow slice of sunlight reaching the ground.
Finally, alluding to well-known icons and concepts can help make a good image all the more memorable.
Beautiful shot, man! Talk about inspired!
My god, man. That’s incredible. All you need now is an angel praying on his knees in the light.
Thanks! I’m glad you guys are enjoying the scenery…
It’s pretty hard not to be inspired in Big Sur. If such a thing as magic exists, that’s how I would have to describe the place. Most of the coastline is nice, scenic, and so on, but this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway / PCH is one natural wonder after the next. This only happens to be one I caught “on film.”
This is really special. I’ve seen things like this too but never had a camera with me at the time. Not that I usually walk around with one!
You must spend a lot of time outdoors to get photos like this, right? I can see why you call them god beams, it must be relaxing and rewarding to see this kind of thing, and all that natural beauty. I live in the city, with urban sprawl all around, so I don’t get to see stuff like this very often. Thanks for bringing it to us instead!
This is the most special planet in the universe, the one and only place humans can survive. I hope pictures like this one help people understand the grave need to protect it.
You have a gallery of some of the most awesome photos I have ever seen. This site is totally amazing. Thanks for sharing.
What a lovely scene, but I prefer the broad leaves.
Thanks so much, Eric! I’m honored to hear that. The same goes for everyone else.