Understanding Lighting and Its Importance in Photography
There’s no question that the right kind of light in a portrait can really complement the image. How the light plays in a shot can create emotion and help tell a story. Conversely, the incorrect use of light can overexpose the subject or obscure the impact you’re going for. Here is what to know about lighting in photography.
The Role of Lighting
Interestingly, photography is a word with roots in the Greek language that actually means “writing with light.” This history alone might give you an appreciation for the role of lighting in picture taking. To get the best shots, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how lighting works, especially before you launch into using your camera’s controls.
Have you noticed how light can even seem to change color in a photograph? Maybe you’ve snapped a shot of someone in a red dress, but it looks more orange once the photo is developed. Light has a powerful influence. It makes shadows and can pass through certain items, yet bounce off others. The proper use of lighting can draw attention to certain features in your composition, casting others to the background.
Lighting position
A basic lighting technique involves positioning your subject in relation to where the light is coming from. Depending on the light source, you’ll either be able to move the light or the individual you’re photographing.
The direction of the light will determine what effect you can achieve. For instance, light from the front will cause shadows to appear behind the image. It means there will be no shadows obscuring your subject and all the small details will be visible. This easy method is often used in portrait photography. Having said that, it can have the effect of making the photo look a little flat.
Another fairly simple option is to position the person so the light falls on them from the side. This technique adds dimension and depth to the shot through the use of shadows. Try a 90-degree angle first and then experiment by turning the subject a bit to change the way the shadows appear. By adjusting your subject, you’ll find the most interesting shadow arrangement for the best outcome.
Your other choice is to have the light flow into the frame from behind the figure. You could have the person stand in front of a window to the outdoors, or before a sunset. Be aware that back lighting is complicated and, if you’re not careful, it can result in an unflattering silhouette with no detail at all. On the flip side, when you do get it right, your composition can feel infused with a beautiful soft glow. Expect lots of trial and error until you get just what you’re after.
Lighting quality
It’s necessary to appreciate that light can have the quality of being either hard or soft. Light that is hard can seem harsh and make shadows look darker. It can highlight every detail in the subject, whether flattering or not. There is almost no transition between the dark areas and light ones in a photograph. Used with some expertise, hard lighting can create a very intense and dramatic effect, if that’s your goal. A studio spotlight or an overhead sun in a cloudless sky will produce this type of light.
On the other hand, softer lighting can be quite complementary. Light is diffused rather than being direct. One example is the kind of light outdoors when the day is overcast. Soft light offers a smoother transition between dark and light in the photo. Since shadows are not as dark, the features in this part of the picture aren’t totally hidden. Plus, imperfections are readily obscured when soft lighting is used.
When you’re shooting indoors, notice the quality of artificial lighting and how natural light streams into a room through the windows. Outdoors, you can see how the quality of light changes at different times of the day. By paying closer attention, you’ll be better prepared to use light to your benefit.
Importance of lighting
With all ways that lighting can make or break a photo, it’s no surprise that learning how to harness its potential is critical. The type of light and how it’s employed helps set the stage and tell a tale. It draws the viewer in by generating a unique mood and encouraging an emotional response.
A photograph can appear mysterious, alluring, or delightful. The textures in your composition will either stand out in greater detail or retreat into the background. Colors can pop with an unparalleled vibrancy or be softly muted. Indeed, there is a tremendous range of effects you can demonstrate with the proper use of lighting.
Finally
A basic knowledge of lighting, the influence of its position and quality, and having a respect for its importance in photography will serve you well to create some incredible pictures.