I have certainly learned (and am still learning) this one. And shooting in manual mode helps me to realize/recognize and appreciate light even more than when I was using auto mode.
Some of my best shots are in the bright sunlight. Light shows detail - and it also creates shadows, which highlights textures. Bright light also helps with sharpness, since a higher shutter speed can be used.
Like in the hummingbird photo I just posted in the creative photography forum and in this cardinal shot:
That is one of my best cardinal shots, because of the bright sunlight.
Another example showing the importance of light and shadow:
The side-lighting on the surface of the moon picks up the details of the craters. When shooting a
full moon, the sunlight is more direct, so the shadows do not show up. That info can help with normal, day-to-day shooting of more "earthly" subjects.
Exellent point and reminder Gail. Thank you!!
