In order to understand photography you must understand light. If you have poor lighting you will have bad photographs. Good lighting creates brilliant pictures. Every photographer needs to pay close attention to lighting conditions and, whenever possible, manipulate those conditions for effect. There are basics of photography lighting that every photographer should know. After mastering the fundamentals, it is up to the individual photographer to use light in her own unique way.
The Facts
Photography lighting basics require three light sources. The most important is the "key" light source. This is the brightest light and must shine directly on the subject of the photograph. The key light should be behind the photographer at an angle. The second light source is the "fill" light. It shines across the key light with less intensity and softens shadows. The fill light should ideally be close to a right angle to the key light. The third light source is the "back" or "background" light. This goes behind the subject of the photograph. If the background is important then the light should point away from the subject and light up the surroundings. If the subject is blending into the background the light can be pointed at the subject's back. This will distinguish the subject from the background. Other light sources can also be added to highlight specific things in the frame.
Misconceptions
Many amateur photographers believe that the automatic flash on a camera will take care of all lighting needs. The opposite is true. Automatic flashes usually wash out a photograph. They do not adapt for specific situations. They just saturate the frame with light. This is why people often appear to have red eyes when there is a flash in a dark place. Sometimes a flash will light up something close to the camera while leaving the background dark. Flashes are also ineffective at lighting up things at a distance. To get good photographs you must deliberately light what you are shooting.
Type
Photographers use a variety of light sources. The sun is the most obvious one. It provides great natural light but can cast harsh shadows. The sun is often in the wrong place from a photographer's perspective. In that case the photographer must change position or wait for the sun to move. Artificial lights can be moved at the photographer's whim. Photography lights can flash, strobe or provide constant illumination. They come with different kinds of bulbs that produce different color light. Filters, barn doors and gels are useful to diffuse and reduce harsh light. Reflectors act like light sources even though they don't produce their own light.
Benefits
A well lit photograph is a thing of beauty. It brings out elements in a scene that are not witnessed or appreciated by the naked eye. A little effort lighting a photograph goes a long way toward improving the picture. It doesn't have to be complicated. Simply having the sun behind you at a 45 degree angle to your subject and a reflector on the other side of the camera to remove shadows can produce a stunning picture. Since it is daytime, a background light probably isn't necessary. When taking pictures indoors use the lights you have around you. Turn as many on as you can find then position your subject to take advantage of where the light shines. As long as you understand photography lighting basics you can adapt to improve your photos.
Effects
Photography lighting allows you to create special effects. Colored lights and filters can change shades of what you see. Over lighting, under lighting and back lighting can create dramatic images with shadows. Focused lighting can illuminate specific objects while leaving the rest of the frame dark. The options are limitless when manipulating light for photography.
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