Lighting

• Lighting


  In photography, especially portrait photography, there are unlimited possibilities when it comes to lighting
• Lighting


  • You can control different light sources
  • You can control directions/angles of light
  • You can create patterns of light
• Categories of light in photography

  • Natural lighting
  • Studio lighting
• Light source


  The type of light used in a photograph
• Light sources


  • Different light sources have different colour temperatures
• Natural light


  Light from the sun used to shoot a photograph
• Natural light


  • Different effects can be achieved at different times of day
  • Often dealing with harsh, direct light
  • The Golden Hour - sunset
• Studio lighting


  A controlled lighting set up that allows photographers creative control over their photographs
• Studio lighting


  • Can be anything from a photo studio to a regular lamp
  • Allows for soft, diffused light
• Tungsten lighting


  Uses incandescent lightbulbs and gives off a warm, yellow-orange colour
• Fluorescent or LED lighting


  • Uses CFL lightbulbs and gives off a cool, blue colour
  • Has a range of colour temperature bulbs available
• Front lighting


  When the light source is directly in front of your subject, creating a flat effect with little shadows
• Side / Split lighting

  When the light source hits your subject from the side at a 25-70 degree angle creating some shadows
• Rembrandt lighting


  When the light source hits your subject from the side at a 90 angle creating extremely dramatic shadows
• Back lighting


  • When the light source is behind your subject matter, creating an outline of your subject
  • Backlit effect
  • Semi-silhouette
  • Silhouette
  • Halo
• Background lighting


  When the background is lit but that light source is different from the light source lighting your subject matter
• Reflector


  • An improvised or specialized reflective surface used to redirect light towards a given subject
  • White reflector
  • White Paper
  • Tin foil
  • Mirror