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Step 3Lighting
Light is the most important aspect of photography. Without light, there would be no photography.
There are three types of lighting:
Direct: This is achieved when there is only one light source, and it casts sharp, deep shadows in which there are very little/no visible details in the shadows. Direct lighting can be used in portraits when you want someone to look tough.
Direct diffused: This is achieved when the one light source is allowed to bounce against walls, or is diffused through something like silk, or the leaves of a tree. Shadows have some detail in this type of picture.
Fully diffused: This is achieved when light is coming equally from many directions, and there is little shadow in the pictures. Use this kind of lighting when you want a female model to look angelic.
Sometimes people take available light pictures, This is when you just use what light already exists, versus using a flash, or other light source. This often includes sliding glass doors, and windows.
Certain times of the day provide lighting that people go after as well. For example, there are two hours during the day called the "Golden Hour" these are:
1. The hour before sunrise
2. The hour after sunset
It's when the sun isn't directly shining, but there is a golden glow...
You can also utilize the sun's position to create whatever shadows you want.
Using a flash can help when the available light is insufficient, or you want certain parts of your picture to have more light. You can point your flash at a wall or ceiling, so the light light will bounce and diffuse into the direction you want. On camera flashes are often frowned upon, as they will create harsh lighting, and red eye. For an on camera flash, consider getting a diffuser. The Fong Lightsphere is a favorite of many photographers. You can also fashion one for built in cameras, out of whatever you've got laying around...silk can work nicely.
Consider a reflector, to eliminate shadows that a person's face can make. Look at the picture of a baby below, It would be ten times better, If I had had a reflector when I was taking the picture. A reflective sun blocker from a car works well, and is cheap.
Use your lighting to accentuate parts of the pictures that are important to you. Movies are good places to observe lighting, as they control light expertly. Also, just browse through other pictures, and see how they do it,
There are three types of lighting:
Direct: This is achieved when there is only one light source, and it casts sharp, deep shadows in which there are very little/no visible details in the shadows. Direct lighting can be used in portraits when you want someone to look tough.
Direct diffused: This is achieved when the one light source is allowed to bounce against walls, or is diffused through something like silk, or the leaves of a tree. Shadows have some detail in this type of picture.
Fully diffused: This is achieved when light is coming equally from many directions, and there is little shadow in the pictures. Use this kind of lighting when you want a female model to look angelic.
Sometimes people take available light pictures, This is when you just use what light already exists, versus using a flash, or other light source. This often includes sliding glass doors, and windows.
Certain times of the day provide lighting that people go after as well. For example, there are two hours during the day called the "Golden Hour" these are:
1. The hour before sunrise
2. The hour after sunset
It's when the sun isn't directly shining, but there is a golden glow...
You can also utilize the sun's position to create whatever shadows you want.
Using a flash can help when the available light is insufficient, or you want certain parts of your picture to have more light. You can point your flash at a wall or ceiling, so the light light will bounce and diffuse into the direction you want. On camera flashes are often frowned upon, as they will create harsh lighting, and red eye. For an on camera flash, consider getting a diffuser. The Fong Lightsphere is a favorite of many photographers. You can also fashion one for built in cameras, out of whatever you've got laying around...silk can work nicely.
Consider a reflector, to eliminate shadows that a person's face can make. Look at the picture of a baby below, It would be ten times better, If I had had a reflector when I was taking the picture. A reflective sun blocker from a car works well, and is cheap.
Use your lighting to accentuate parts of the pictures that are important to you. Movies are good places to observe lighting, as they control light expertly. Also, just browse through other pictures, and see how they do it,
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