In the art of photography, lighting is everything. A photographer can make two drastically different images of the same subject by simply altering the available light. Envisioning an end result that includes details and mood will help narrow down the photographer's many choices in directional lighting.
Manipulation
In a studio setting, the light direction is easily changed by moving the equipment. Moving a photoflood, which is more intense and narrowly focused, will make a more drastic change than moving a softbox, which covers a larger area and is more diffused. When dealing with natural lighting, the time of day and indoor/outdoor location are the main factors to consider. At dawn and dusk, side lighting is produced. At noon, overhead light may prove an advantage or hindrance in any given image. A subject sitting indoors by a window will appear differently than the subject outdoors on a sunny day.
Mood
In general, an image that contains high levels of contrast will conjure a sense of drama. An extreme example of this involves using directional lighting from below a subject. Because light commonly occurs in nature from up high, underlighting creates odd, unsettling shadows directly below the eyes and across the nose. A less dramatic scene can be created outdoors on an overcast day. The light is diffused, traveling in infinite directions, reducing contrast and creating a "flatter" image.
Texture
The direction of light drastically alters texture in an image. If a photographer needs to convey the rough texture of an object, side lighting is necessary. This emphasizes the shadows and highlights created by the texture. Using front lighting on this subject creates a flat plane with no texture detail. Front lighting can be used to an advantage, however, for a person wanting to eliminate undesirable texture from a facial portrait.
Details
Though front lighting cuts back on texture, it reveals adequate details of a subject. If more three-dimensionality is needed with this detail, directional-diffused lighting may be desirable. This is found indoors by a sunny window. It allows for details, but creates soft shadows, giving a more natural look than front lighting. Conversely, backlighting creates little to no detail, throwing the subject into darkness and creating a silhouette image. Backlighting can be dramatic, and can also be useful when trying to emphasize the overall shape of a subject.
Shadows
Directional lighting produces shadows that can make or break an image. Many photographers enjoy shooting during the "golden hour," roughly the first and last hours of daylight. These times produce long shadows, but the light is diffused enough so that they don't lack detail. The contrast to this situation would be a sunny day at noon. Many photographers choose not to work with these conditions, especially when photographing people, as unattractive shadows form in the eye sockets and below the nose. If shadows are key to an image, side lighting, and sometimes backlighting, in either natural or artificial form, is necessary.
In the art of photography, lighting is everything. A photographer can make two drastically different images of the same subject by simply altering the available light. Envisioning an end result that includes details and mood will help narrow down the photographer's many choices in directional lighting.
Manipulation
In a studio setting, the light direction is easily changed by moving the equipment. Moving a photoflood, which is more intense and narrowly focused, will make a more drastic change than moving a softbox, which covers a larger area and is more diffused. When dealing with natural lighting, the time of day and indoor/outdoor location are the main factors to consider. At dawn and dusk, side lighting is produced. At noon, overhead light may prove an advantage or hindrance in any given image. A subject sitting indoors by a window will appear differently than the subject outdoors on a sunny day.
Mood
In general, an image that contains high levels of contrast will conjure a sense of drama. An extreme example of this involves using directional lighting from below a subject. Because light commonly occurs in nature from up high, underlighting creates odd, unsettling shadows directly below the eyes and across the nose. A less dramatic scene can be created outdoors on an overcast day. The light is diffused, traveling in infinite directions, reducing contrast and creating a "flatter" image.
Texture
The direction of light drastically alters texture in an image. If a photographer needs to convey the rough texture of an object, side lighting is necessary. This emphasizes the shadows and highlights created by the texture. Using front lighting on this subject creates a flat plane with no texture detail. Front lighting can be used to an advantage, however, for a person wanting to eliminate undesirable texture from a facial portrait.
Details
Though front lighting cuts back on texture, it reveals adequate details of a subject. If more three-dimensionality is needed with this detail, directional-diffused lighting may be desirable. This is found indoors by a sunny window. It allows for details, but creates soft shadows, giving a more natural look than front lighting. Conversely, backlighting creates little to no detail, throwing the subject into darkness and creating a silhouette image. Backlighting can be dramatic, and can also be useful when trying to emphasize the overall shape of a subject.
Shadows
Directional lighting produces shadows that can make or break an image.
Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques
. Many photographers enjoy shooting during the "golden hour," roughly the first and last hours of daylight. These times produce long shadows, but the light is diffused enough so that they don't lack detail. The contrast to this situation would be a sunny day at noon. Many photographers choose not to work with these conditions, especially when photographing people, as unattractive shadows form in the eye sockets and below the nose. If shadows are key to an image, side lighting, and sometimes backlighting, in either natural or artificial form, is necessary.Photography Definitions: Glossary of Photographic Terms
www.betterphoto.com/exploring/allDefinitions.aspWant to be able to talk the talk as a photographer? Learn the following photography terms to become a better photographer regardless of your current skill level.
photography - definition of photography by the Free Online ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/photographyphotography (f-t g r-f) n. 1. The art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces. 2. The art, practice, or occupation of taking and ...
light - definition of light by the Free Online Dictionary ...
www.thefreedictionary.com/lightlight 1 (l t) n. 1. Physics. a. Electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength in the range from about 4,000 (violet) to about 7,700 (red) angstroms and may be ...
Photographers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of ...
www.bls.gov/ooh/Media-and-Communication/Photographers.htmPhotographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that visually tell a story or record an event.
7 Elements of Photography We Can Learn From The Hobbit
digital-photography-school.com/7-elements-of-photography-we-can...1. Dramatic Lighting. You will notice that in the majority of good portraiture, dramatic lighting is often a key element. Its not too often youll find flat ...
Invention of the telephone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invention_of_the_telephoneThe invention of the telephone is the culmination of work done by many individuals, the history of which involves a collection of claims and counterclaims. The ...
Light Easy to understand definition of light by Your Dictionary
www.yourdictionary.com Dictionary Definitionsthe form of electromagnetic radiation that acts upon the retina of the eye, optic nerve, etc., making sight possible: this energy is transmitted in a vacuum at a ...
Photography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography
Photography (derived from the Greek photos- for "light" and -graphos for "drawing") is the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by recording light
Photography - Definition and More from the Free Merriam
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photographyDefinition of PHOTOGRAPHY: the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (as film or an optical ...
ShortCourses-The On-line Library of Digital Photography
shortcourses.comBookstoreis the home of printed copies, ebooks on CDs, and instant downloads of digital photography books published by Short Courses. Stereo Photography is your ...
Black aura color meaning: absence of vibration or light in Aura ...
www.aura-reader.com/black-aura.htmlA Black in Aura color may represent absence of vibration or light in the aura/energy field. It has been seen above the head and shoulders in cases of severe depression.
photography: Definition from Answers.com - Answers - The Most ...
www.answers.com Library Literature & Language Dictionaryphotography ( f-tg ' r-f ) n. The art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces
Photographers : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of ...
www.bls.gov/ooh/Media-and-Communication/Photographers.htmPhotographers use their technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to produce and preserve images that visually tell a story or record an event.
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