Light Meter: Keep it Simple

One of the great things about strolling down Disneyland’s Main Street is that all of our senses get to enjoy it. The mouth-watering scent of peanut brittle coming from the candy shop. The sound of hooves clunking along the concrete as a horse pulls a carriage. The taste of Fantasia ice cream (R.I.P.) made of pistachio, cherry, and banana.

Walking past shops you touch the smooth buildings and once inside the Emporium feel the soft squishy stuffed Disney characters. Last but not least, we see what is going on around us. Balloons are dancing with each other, children with eyes wide open and mouths forming nothing more than a slow motion “Wow.”

With all of these going on at once you can easily miss out on the simplest of things. I had a portraiture teacher who repeatedly told us to keep it simple. You don’t need a lot going on to make a great shot. You can also change the mood of an image simply enough by seeing it in black and white. There’s something about it that strips the picture down to it’s core. Details become more noticeable. Give it a try the next time you’re making your way to Tomorrowland or Adventureland. It just takes a moment to stop and see things in a whole new light.