Chapter 12:

Lighting

Direction of Light

• The direction of light is important because it affects

shadows.

• Light can emphasize or diminish texture and volume.

• It can also create a mood.

• When figuring out how to light a scene you have to take

into account not only the direction of the light but also the

position of the camera.

• Compare these types of

lighting

Side Lighting

examples

Front Lighting

examples

Back Lighting

Overhead Lighting

Under Lighting

Lighting and Mood• The mood of a photograph can be enhanced by lighting and the position of

the light.

• Side lighting is sometimes used to show off texture such as rugged facial

features.

• Front lighting can be used to decrease shadows and smooth skin texture.

• Strong light from behind the subject creates a silhoutte.

Degree Of Diffusion• Direct light creates hard-edged, dark shadows. A spotlight

is one source of direct light. Harsh lighting causes lots of

contrast.

• Directional diffused light is partially direct with some

diffused or scattered rays. Light appears to come from a

definite direction and creates distinct shadows, but with

edges that are softer than those of direct light.

Degree Of Diffusion• Diffused light scatters onto the subject from many

directions and creates soft edges.

Available Light• The light that already exists in a scene is “available light”.

• A clear, sunny day creates bright highlights and dark, hard edged

shadows.

• On an overcast day, at dusk, or in the shade, the light will be soft and

diffused.

• The light changes as the time of day changes. It changes in color and

direction.

Outdoor evening light

Available window light

• Indoor lighting can be contrasty or flat, depending on the

source of light.

• When shooting, expose for the most important parts of the

picture.

• Light indoors is often relatively dim. If you want to use the

existing light and not add an additional light source, you

may have to use a slow shutter speed and/or wide

aperture.

Indoor Light

• Most photographs made with artificial light employ more

than one light source.

• The most natural-looking light imitates the sun.

• Lighting can influence the emotional character of an

image.

Underlight

Frontlight

Sidelight

Backlight

Quiz

1.

Diffused light scatters onto the subject

from many different directions

a) True

b) false

2.

_______ light already exists in a scene

a) Soft

b) Available

c) Diffused

d) Reflected

3.

_______ light that comes from behind

the subject is for silhouettes

a) Side

b) Diffused

c) Back

d) Reflected

4.

Light changes as the time of day changes

a) True

b) False

5.

Texture is prominent in ______ lighting

a) Soft

b) Back

c) Front

d) Side

what kind of lighting was

used?