Orem High Photography
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Lighting

The 5 Characteristics of Light

Lighting makes all the difference.

1. Contrast

Picture
The is high contrast lighting.  High contrast lighting is not good for people.  High contrast lighting causes dark shadows and bright highlights.  It washes out color.  The more intense your light source, the greater the contrast in your picture.  The smaller the light source, the more intense the light source.  The sun in the middle of the day on a sunny day is a very small and intense light source.  

Contrast continued

Picture
This picture has low contrast lighting which is much better lighting particularly for people. With low contrast lighting the light source is bigger.  Shade creates a bigger light source.  You can also shoot pictures on a cloudy day.  The clouds soften the light. Shooting pictures in the morning and the evening is also good.  The sun is filtered through more of the atmosphere and is a bigger, softer light source. 

2. Color

Picture
Warm colors are the best for people.  Warm colors are red, yellow, and orange.  Warm colors are also good for landscapes.  The best time to take pictures where the light will create warm colors is in the morning and the evening.

Color continued

Picture
Cool colors are blue, green, and purple.  Cool colors are not very good for people.  Taking pictures on dark, stormy days or in dark shade will create cool colors in your photograph. 

3. Direction

Picture
A. Front light. 
Front light is also known as flat light. Light falls on the front of your subject.
Front light takes away shadows and dimension. If you use a flash, your photo will always have front light. 

Direction continued

Picture
B. Side Light
Light falls on the side of the subject.  This is the most natural type of lighting.  It makes your subject look 3 dimensional.  The best time of day to take pictures with side lighting is in the morning and evening. 

Direction continued

Picture
C. Back Lighting
Light falls on the back of your subject.  It can create silhouettes and sparkling water. It can also cause hair glow. 

4. Intensity

The intensity of the light source controls the contrast in the picture.  The more intense the light source, the greater the contrast.  The smaller the light source, the more intense the light source.  The closer and bigger the light source, the less intense it will be. 

5. Type

There are two main types of light, natural and artificial. Natural light is the sun. Artificial light is pretty much 
everything else. 
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  • Home
  • Photo Galleries
    • Miss T's Photos
    • Student Photos
  • Assignments
    • Photo 1 >
      • Picture-Taking Assignments
      • Written Assignments
      • Special Photoshop Assignments
    • Adv. Photo >
      • Picture-Taking Assignments
      • Written Assignments
      • Special Photoshop Assignments
  • Camera Info
    • Lenses
    • Apertures
    • Shutters
  • Taking Pictures
    • Composition
    • Lighting
  • Power Points
    • Digital Cameras Types and Modes
    • Digital Terms and Color Management
    • Lenses
    • Shutters and Apertures
    • History of Photography
    • Camera for Photo 2
    • Viewfinders and Light Meters
    • Photoshop
    • Photoshop Objectives 1-5
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