The fundamentals of seeing light:
Exposure: The amount of light captured in a photograph, and how to control it. Quality: How “soft” or “hard” the light is, and the difference between “warm” and “cool” light. Direction: The position of the light source relative to the scene. Shadows and highlights: The darkest and brightest regions in a photo, where details become obscured. |
Side light Moving the light to one side of the subject produces a far more interesting light, as it shows the shape of the subject much more than when the light is coming from the camera position. |
Front light With the light behind the camera, and pointing directly at the subject, you’ll get very flat lighting. This is the same as you’ll get by shooting with the sun behind you or using an on-camera flash. Back light With the light behind the subject you get a completely different effect. This time most of the light is hitting the side of the subject, which creates a more atmospheric and moody image. |