Only kidding dictionary peoples… only kidding.  Allow me to misquote something that I remember hearing ages ago:

Available Light is any light that you have available to you. That includes a speedlight, a flashlight, a street light, a car’s headlights and amongst other things to numerous to mention the SUN!

I was recently reminded of this by a pair of blog posts by fellow DWF Pro Nicole Wolf where she shows two photos. One lit with “Available” daylight and the other lit with “Available”  light from her gear bag.

As many new photographers soon realize, the real problem is usually not the lack of a light source it’s the lack of knowing how to use the light they have properly. Or rather, how to use what you have in order to take a photo that is pleasing to the eye. One sure fire way to improve is to practice with anything you can find. I remember an excellent example from the DWF Convention in Tampa a few years ago, Jerry Ghionis picked up a red glass vase and stuck his flash into it. The resulting light was incredible and moody and it was THERE! Some might even call it “Available”. (wink wink)

Anyway, enough of my mindless rambling, here are the two photos which got me thinking way to early on this Monday morning. See them and more on Nicole’s OverExposed blog.

Not enough motivation to get you off your lazy Monday butt? DWF Pro members can fire up this post by Bruce H. Dorn in the DWF Pro Art forum containing over 2400 posts chock full of examples of “Available” light. Like that? Be sure to visit our exclusive interview with Bruce right here on the DWF blog.

So how did I do? How would you define “Available” light?

UPDATE: Nicole just started a post on the subject in the DWF Pro Art forum.

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