Thursday Photo Tip 15: Light Direction
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Larry Workman QIN
Jan 2, 2008, 7:05:32 PM1/2/08
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Light can come from many directions and that greatly affects color, shape, and texture. Let us look at the four basic directions and how it relates to photography.
Front Light: The light illuminates the front of the subject. Shadows are washed away and can give the photograph a flat appearance. But it is good for color and details and if you are careful with the selection of the background, you can create an interesting picture.
Side Light: The light illuminates the subject from the side. It created strong shadows, adds texture, supports brilliant color, and adds depth to the picture.
3/4 Light: The light illuminates the subject halfway between side and back lighting. It shows detail, definition, and puts emphasis on depth.
Back Light: The light illuminates the subject from behind. It can create a halo effect around the subject. This light can create strong silhouettes.
Now all this seems pretty basic, but it is surprising how many people just fail to see how the light falls on their subject and that if they were to move a few meters one way or another, they could greatly improve their photographs.
Front Light: The light illuminates the front of the subject. Shadows are washed away and can give the photograph a flat appearance. But it is good for color and details and if you are careful with the selection of the background, you can create an interesting picture.
Side Light: The light illuminates the subject from the side. It created strong shadows, adds texture, supports brilliant color, and adds depth to the picture.
3/4 Light: The light illuminates the subject halfway between side and back lighting. It shows detail, definition, and puts emphasis on depth.
Back Light: The light illuminates the subject from behind. It can create a halo effect around the subject. This light can create strong silhouettes.
Now all this seems pretty basic, but it is surprising how many people just fail to see how the light falls on their subject and that if they were to move a few meters one way or another, they could greatly improve their photographs.
magic surf bus
Jan 3, 2008, 6:14:13 PM1/3/08
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It was the unusual lighting that first attracted me to this shot of a Venetian Sotoportego (passageway):
Bright sunlight bouncing off the walls over the footbridge provided harsh backlighting to the left of the shot, but less direct and more diffuse light was coming vertically down the well between the buildings on the right. There's even a certain amount of front lighting from the piazza behind me as I didn't use the flash. Between them they picked out the various structural textures quite nicely, even if the scene itself isn't very exciting.
Bright sunlight bouncing off the walls over the footbridge provided harsh backlighting to the left of the shot, but less direct and more diffuse light was coming vertically down the well between the buildings on the right. There's even a certain amount of front lighting from the piazza behind me as I didn't use the flash. Between them they picked out the various structural textures quite nicely, even if the scene itself isn't very exciting.
♫ Swissmay
Jan 5, 2008, 6:14:30 AM1/5/08
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Typical light in winter
I liked on this photo, how the light concentrated on the cows and most of the other subjects were in the shadow.
On this one, I was happy to see the direct as well as the indirect light on the leaves, which shows the difference in colours and the tips of the grass and their shadows on the leaves.
I liked on this photo, how the light concentrated on the cows and most of the other subjects were in the shadow.
On this one, I was happy to see the direct as well as the indirect light on the leaves, which shows the difference in colours and the tips of the grass and their shadows on the leaves.
© Alan Knox
Jan 5, 2008, 7:05:36 AM1/5/08
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© L K Kelley
Jan 5, 2008, 4:50:15 PM1/5/08
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I'm not really "great" with lighting, yet, but I am trying. But, it seems to me that every time I take a photo, I either have to do it right then, or I just don't get it. Sometimes, I luck out, and get one that looks pretty good, but don't realize the lighting until AFTER the fact!
But, I will try harder!
This is one of my favorite "I took it fast" photos.
This one is one of the few that you can feel the depth.
This one was kind of wierd, and I'm not exactly sure what type of light you would call it!
But, I will try harder!
This is one of my favorite "I took it fast" photos.
This one is one of the few that you can feel the depth.
This one was kind of wierd, and I'm not exactly sure what type of light you would call it!
Nawitka
Jan 8, 2008, 1:26:46 AM1/8/08
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On this day of the winter solstice, I was specifically looking for side light and those long winter shadows. Here, it was just a matter of driving around to the proper side of the golf course (the east side) and looking west.
maihoangthuy
Jul 20, 2016, 3:49:11 AM7/20/16
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wow, those photos were taken around the world. they are so vivid, fresh colors, animals and trees, greenery
Vào 07:05:32 UTC+7 Thứ Năm, ngày 03 tháng 1 năm 2008, Larry Workman QIN đã viết:
Vào 07:05:32 UTC+7 Thứ Năm, ngày 03 tháng 1 năm 2008, Larry Workman QIN đã viết:
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