When it comes to photography, lighting is key. In this blog post, we will discuss some basic tips for beginners on how to capture better photos with great lighting. Lighting can make or break a photo, and as a photographer, it is important to understand the different ways you can use light to your advantage. These tips will help you get started on the right foot!
Table of Contents
The Importance of Lighting in Photography
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. It can help set the mood and tone of a photo, and it can make or break a shot. Good lighting can make a subject pop, while bad lighting can make a subject look flat or even disappear altogether. As a photographer, you should always be aware of how lighting will affect your photos.
Types of Lighting and How to Use Them
There are several different types of lighting techniques you can leverage when shooting, which we’ll cover below:
Front Lighting
This is when the light source is behind the photographer and facing the subject. This type of lighting is great for evenly lit shots, but can sometimes create unflattering shadows on a subject’s face.
Side Lighting
This is when the light source is to the side of the photographer and facing the subject. Side lighting can create more interesting shadows and can be used to add depth and dimension to a photo.
Back Lighting
This is when the light source is behind the subject and facing the photographer. Back lighting can create a beautiful halo effect around a subject, but can also make it difficult to see the subject’s face.
Diffused Lighting
This is when the light source is covered or obstructed in some way, which creates a softer, more even light . Diffused lighting is great for portrait photography, as it can help reduce harsh shadows on a subject’s face.
Soft Vs. Hard Light
In addition to the types of lighting above, light can also be classified as either soft or hard. Soft light is more diffused and creates a softer, more even light. Hard light is direct and creates harsher shadows. Soft light is generally more flattering, while hard light can be used to create more dramatic shots.
Understanding Color Temperature For Lighting
In addition to the type and direction of light, another important factor to consider is color temperature. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and dictates how “warm” or “cool” a light source appears. Warmer temperatures (around 2000-3000K) will appear more yellow/orange, while cooler temperatures (around 7000-8000K) will appear more blue.
When choosing a white balance setting for your camera, you’ll want to take color temperature into account. For example, if you’re shooting in a warm environment with lots of orange light, you’ll want to set your white balance accordingly so that your photos don’t come out looking too orange.
On the other hand, if you’re shooting in a cool environment with lots of blue light, you’ll want to set your white balance so that your photos don’t come out looking too blue.
Getting The Right Lighting Position
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of lighting, it’s time to talk about how to position your light source. The position of your light relative to your subject can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your photo.
Here are some general tips:
If you want evenly lit shots with no shadows, place your light source directly in front of your subject.
If you want to add depth and dimension to your shots, try side lighting or back lighting.
If you want softer, more flattering light, use diffused lighting or shoot in cooler color temperatures.
If you want harsher, more dramatic light, use direct light or shoot in warmer color temperatures.
Different Types Of Light Functions
Here are some of the most popular light effects that may be utilized in a studio or outdoors with explanations for their operation:
Key Light
The key light is typically the brightest and most powerful light in the scene. It is placed at a 45-degree angle to the subject, either in front of or to the side, and is used to illuminate the subject’s face.
Fill Light
The fill light is placed on the opposite side of the key light and is used to fill in any shadows created by the key light. The fill light is typically not as bright as the key light.
Back Light
The back light is placed behind the subject and is used to create a halo effect or to separate the subject from the background.
Rim Light
The rim light is placed at a 90-degree angle to the subject, behind them, and is used to create a backlit effect.
How to Use Lighting in Photography
Now that you understand the different types of lighting techniques, let’s discuss how to use them to your advantage.
High Key Lighting
High key lighting is a type of lighting that is used to create bright, evenly lit shots with little to no shadows. This technique is often used in fashion photography and product photography.
To achieve high key lighting, you’ll want to place your light source directly in front of your subject. You can also use diffused lighting or shoot in cooler color temperatures to create a more soft and flattering light.
Three Point Lighting
Three point lighting is a type of lighting that uses three light sources to illuminate the subject. The key light is placed at a 45-degree angle in front of or to the side of the subject, the fill light is placed on the opposite side of the key light, and the back light is placed behind the subject.
This technique is often used in portrait photography and interview style videos.
Broad and Short Lighting
Broad lighting is a type of lighting that is used to create a wide, evenly lit shot with little to no shadows. This technique is often used in product photography and fashion photography.
To achieve broad lighting, you’ll want to place your light source directly in front of your subject. You can also use diffused lighting or shoot in cooler color temperatures to create a more soft and flattering light.
Rim Lighting
Rim lighting is a type of lighting that is used to create a backlit effect. The rim light is placed at a 90-degree angle to the subject, behind them, and is used to create a halo effect or to separate the subject from the background.
With this arrangement, the backlight illuminates the edges of your subject – generally, this includes hairs and the very edge of your subject. It is useful for distinguishing your subject from the background.
Split Lighting
Portrait lighting is often positioned side-on to produce a perfect half-lit, half-shadow effect on a face when using multiple sources of light.
Backlighting
Backlighting is the process of lighting an object from the rear. It’s great for creating silhouettes and semi-silhouettes. You can overcome silhouetteing if you use a fill light.
Rembrandt Lighting
The Rembrandt lighting technique is a portrait lighting approach. It was inspired by the renowned artist and required a side key light positioned to produce a little triangle of light beneath the eye on the cheekbone on the opposite side of the face.
Butterfly Lighting
For a butterfly highlight, mount your light in front of and shining down on the face. This generates a unique “butterfly” shadow under the subject’s nose, emphasizing facial features such as cheekbones.
Lighting Equipment You May Need
Different shooting situations may require different types of lighting and equipment. Below is an extensive list of different kinds of lighting equipment and what they’re typically used for:
Speedlight / Flashgun
A speedlight, also known as a flashgun, is a small, portable flash unit that can be attached to your camera. Speedlights are great for adding a bit of extra light to your shots, especially when shooting in low-light conditions.
Strobes
Strobes are larger, more powerful flash units that are often used in studios. Strobes can be attached to light stands and provide a great deal of control over the light in your shots.
Striplights
Striplights are long, narrow lights that can be used to create a variety of lighting effects. Striplights are often used in fashion photography to create even, flattering light on the face and body.
Ring lights
Ring lights are circular lights that can be attached to the front of your camera lens. Ring lights are often used in macro photography and video to create a bright, even light on the subject.
Continuous Lighting / Hotlights
Continuous lights are exactly what they sound like – they provide a continuous source of light. Continuous lights are often used in video because they allow you to see how the light will fall on your subject before you start shooting.
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are a type of light modifier that diffuses and softens the light from your light source. Umbrellas come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can be used with both studio lights and speedlights.
Softboxes
Softboxes are another type of light modifier that diffuses and soften the light from your light source. Softboxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can be used with both studio lights and speedlights.
Gridboxes
Gridboxes are a type of light modifier that contains a grid of squares or diamonds that allows you to control the direction and shape of the light. Gridboxes are often used with studio lights to create specific lighting effects.
Beauty Dishes
Beauty dishes are a type of light modifier that is often used in fashion and beauty photography. Beauty dishes create a soft, diffused light that is flattering on the face and body.
Snoots
A snoot is a type of light modifier that allows you to control the shape and direction of the light. Snoots are often used to create specific lighting effects, such as spotlighting a small area of a subject.
Octaboxes
An octabox is a type of light modifier that is shaped like an octagon. Octaboxes diffuses the light from your light source and creates a soft, even light. Octaboxes are often used in portrait photography to create flattering lighting on the face.
Triggers
Triggers are a type of wireless remote that allows you to control your camera from a distance. Triggers are often used in photography to allow the photographer to be in the shot, or to avoid shake when taking photos with long exposures.
Color Gels
Gels are thin sheets of colored plastic that are placed over your light source to change the color of the light. Gels are often used to create special effects or to match the lighting in a scene.
Reflectors
Reflectors are a type of light modifier that reflects light back onto the subject. Reflectors come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can be used to create a variety of lighting effects.
Backdrops
Backdrops are a type of background that can be used in photography. Backdrops come in a variety of colors and patterns, and can be used to create a variety of looks.
Light Stands
Light stands are a type of support that is used to hold your light source in place. Light stands come in a variety of sizes and can be used with a variety of light sources.
Photography Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve covered all the basics of proper lighting techniques in photography, below are other frequently asked questions about photography lighting:
How do I get good indoor lighting for photography?
The best way to get good indoor lighting for photography is to use a mix of natural light and artificial light. You can use curtains or blinds to control the amount of natural light that comes into the room, and use lamps or ceiling lights to add artificial light.
What is the best time of day for outdoor photography?
The best time of day for outdoor photography is early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and more diffused.
How do I make my pictures look like they were taken in the golden hour?
There are a few ways to make your pictures look like they were taken in the golden hour. One way is to use a golden hour filter, which you can find in most editing software. Another way is to adjust the white balance in your camera to make the colors warmer. Finally, you can use a gold or yellow gel over your light source to create a warm, golden light.
How do I make my pictures look like they were taken in the silver hour?
There are a few ways to make your pictures look like they were taken in the silver hour. One way is to use a silver hour filter, which you can find in most editing software. Another way is to adjust the white balance in your camera to make the colors cooler. Finally, you can use a blue gel over your light source to create a cool, silver light.
How do you fake natural light?
You can fake natural light by using a reflector to bounce light back onto your subject, or by using a flash with a diffuser to create a softer light.
What lighting is closest to natural light?
The best lighting to use for natural light is a mix of artificial light and natural light. You can use lamps or ceiling lights to add artificial light, and curtains or blinds to control the amount of natural light that comes into the room.
What is the closest light to sunlight?
LED lighting may appear to be quite close to sunlight. This is as near as artificial light can get to sunlight with color temperatures ranging from 5200K to 6400K.
What do you call a light used to gently illuminate shadows?
A fill light paired with a diffuser can be used to lightly raise shadows in pictures without creating new ones.
What lighting is best for outdoor photography?
Remotes can be used with speed lights. They’re readily transportable and may be activated via triggers for remote operation. As a result, they’re ideal for outdoor shootings. To fine-tune your lighting, use light modifiers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography. As a photographer, it is important to understand the different types of lighting and how they can be used to your advantage. By understanding and utilizing different lighting techniques, you can take your photography to the next level!
