The 5 Characteristics of Light
Lighting makes all the difference.
1. Contrast
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
C. Back Lighting
Light falls on the back of your subject. It can create silhouettes and sparkling water. It can also cause hair glow.
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.
everything else.