Types of Light

• Photographers recognize four different types of light: direct or natural light, diffused light, reflected light and artificial light, including flash. Within these types of light are many other elements, such as color and temperature of light as well as the effect on a subject from the direction of light.
  
  Natural outdoor light is produced from a radiant source, such as the sun unaltered by clouds or atmospheric haze. Natural light comes from one source that casts a single set of shadows. It varies in regard to contrast and brightness, sometimes being more contrasty or bright and sometimes less so. It is also subject to fluctuations as far as color is concerned. Because it is natural light, it produces photographs that appear natural.
  
  Diffused light is light that passes through a diffuser before striking its subject and is less contrasty than direct light and casts less defined shadows. These are qualities that are desired for portrait photography. The diffuser can be a filter attached to the camera or a cloth or film held over the lens.
  
  Reflected light strikes a reflector and is then directed to the subject. It is less contrasty than diffused light and can be shadowless. Outdoor light in open shade on a sunny day is light reflected from a blue sky. Bounce light, which is also reflective, is accomplished with a flash directed at a white ceiling, wall or cardboard.
  
  

Artificial Light

• Artificial light is the use of lighting sources other than natural light to illuminate the subject. Several light sources can be combined. It will deliver the exact amount of light that the photographer desires based on the quantity or output of the type of bulb used. There are three different forms of artificial light.
  
  Incandescent light is a continuous light produced by incandescent bulbs. A photographer can arrange and adjust the placement of this type of light to suit his subject, thereby controlling the distribution of light and shadow. Incandescent bulbs or floodlights produce a lot of heat. This type of light does not give enough illumination to permit the use of short, action stopping shutter speeds.
  
  Fluorescent light is another type of continuous light. It has the advantage of not producing any heat but the disadvantage of casting a green color. This is particularly undesirable when photographing people. You can correct it by using a fluorescent filter or by setting the white balance on a digital camera to the fluorescent setting.
  
  Flash is an instantaneous type of light produced from units attached directly to the camera or held or mounted at distances away from the camera. It enables the photographer to freeze action. Direct flash can produce harsh shadows on a subject or behind a subject and is not the most desirable form to use for portraits. Along with natural light, fill flash can help illuminate a subject or scene and dispel shadows.
  
  

Light Direction

• The angle of lighting can emphasize texture and detail or decrease it. It can define the form of the scene or destroy it. It can show a bright mood or a somber one. The direction that light strikes a subject determines the position and the extent of shadows, enabling the photographer to create a picture with either depth or flatness.
  
  Top light is light striking from directly above that flattens the scene. It is the least photogenic form of illumination. Vertical surfaces receive too little light and there is a lack of shadows, thus a lack of depth in a photo. This is the light of the noonday sun, which good photographers avoid.
  
  Front light occurs with the light source behind the photographer's back and illuminates the subject head-on. It is useful when good color rendition is desired but it creates no shadows, flattens detail and can create glare. A rule for good exposure has been "keep the sun over your shoulder" and this might give the correct exposure but does not necessarily deliver the most interesting picture.
  
  Side light strikes the subject from one side or the other but more from the front side than the back side. It brings out shape and texture, creates depth and is considered the best angle for general photography.
  
  Back light illuminates the subject from the rear and is the most contrasty form of light. It creates bright highlights and separates foreground from background. It is used in outdoor portraits to reduce the emphasis of a confusing background, to create sparkle on water and for lively dramatic effects. Photographers must be careful that this direct light does not strike the lens as it will cause flare.
  
  

Color of Light

• There are five different color hues of light: white, yellowish, reddish, bluish and greenish.
  
  White light is light from the sun or light reflected from a clear blue sky with a few clouds during the daylight hours when the sun is well above the horizon, such as from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Photographs produced with white light appear bright and natural with good color quality.
  
  Yellowish light is found during the early morning and late afternoon hours of a sunny day. In photographs, a warm or golden color is reflected.
  
  Reddish light is found at sunrise and sunset and can be utilized to produce striking pictures.
  
  Bluish light is the light of open shade produced on a sunny day when the sky is blue. This reflected blue light illuminates the subject since the object casting the shade prevents direct sunlight from reaching the subject. Light on an overcast or cloudy day is also bluish in color temperature.
  
  Greenish light is light that is found in wooded areas, under trees, where the light is filtered by green leaves. The greenish color that is cast gives a sickly expression to portraits and you must correct it with filters or by changing the white balance setting on a digital camera.
  
  

Time of Day

• Photographers choose to shoot between sunrise and 10 a.m. or between 3 p.m. and dusk to obtain good photographs. This is when light on a sunny day is at an angle that supplies shadow and depth to a scene. Light during the middle of the day is the least desirable as it is flat and featureless and lacks depth. Overcast days deliver an overall subdued light that is often desirable when photographing birds and animals and for taking outdoor portraits of people.