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The word photography comes from two Greek words meaning to write with light. That's essentially the craft, isn't it? After all, without light you can't take a photograph! (OK, forget about non-light photo technologies - most of us don't have that kind of equipment)

Learning to see light and how that light falls on your subject is a skill that can turn your everyday snapshot into fine art photography. Some of you may remember the instructions that came with general consumer cameras back in the 50's and 60's. They told us to make sure that the sun was to our back and falling directly on the subject. Remember that? Good. Now forget it!

Grab that shoebox out of the closet and take a look at the results of that advice. Are all of your grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles squinting and making weird faces in all those old family photos? IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SUN BLASTING INTO THEIR EYES!!! So forget those old tips.

Before you even pickup the camera learn to look. What's your subject? What environment is your subject in? How is your subject lit? What kind of light is it? Can you move the subject easily or can you move in relation to the subject? All these questions and more should be running through your head. When you have some answers then, and only then, put the camera to your eye.

Light can have dramatic impact on your image. Just look at the differences between a fashion closeup lit with studio strobes and some classic 40's Hollywood stills with that familiar Film Noir feel. While it's true that photography has to do with light it is just as much concerned with shadow.

By moving the light or moving your subject you can alter how the light falls and consequently how the shadows are shaped. In the studio, it's easy to move the strobe or hot light. Outside, unless you're part of a new Biblical epic, you can't move the sun so you must move the subject. Make use of reflectors so open up shadow areas. Look for areas of open shade outside where you can get great lighting on your subject with out the squinting so familiar in the shoebox photos. If you can't find open shade then think about diffusing the sunlight.

Yet another tool you have at your disposal is patience. Ansel Adams would sometimes wait days for the light to be just right. Of course that kind of patience won't work if you're photographing children. But for landscapes - you bet!

Once you have the subject lit the way you want continue to compose the shot. Don't forget about the Rule of Thirds and other composition aids. There's a saying that the only thing that gets in the way of a great photograph is a camera! So get out there and find the light! We'll talk more about htis later.