 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Light can strike a subject in any of three basic directions. By understanding these, you'll reduce your number of failed shots — and you'll learn to bring out the beauty of light in your photos. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The light is coming from behind the camera, so it strikes the subject from the front. This is the most basic and foolproof way to orient yourself when shooting. It's also the best way to capture a beautiful blue sky in the background. |
|
|
|
|
|
The light strikes the subject at an angle from the side. Sidelight emphasizes light and shade, bringing out a three-dimensional look to subjects. It does however require a little knowledge and experience to control the highlights and shadows produced by sidelight. |
|
|
|
Backlight
|
|
|
|
|
|
The light is coming from behind the subject – in other words, directly toward the camera. Shooting in this situation will normally reduce the subject to a shadow. The easiest technique is to turn on your flash. This will compensate for underexposure, assuring that your subject stands out against the beautiful light in the background. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Light is always changing: with the seasons, the weather, even over the course of a single day. You'll also find it useful to know a few of the basic differences between natural daylight and artificial light. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 Daylight (clear weather)
Clear daylight is the easiest light for photography. But if it's casting strong shadows on your subject, you should try to fill them in using either flash or a reflector.
|
|
 Daylight (cloudy/rainy weather)
The light on cloudy or rainy days is softer than the light from clear skies, making it ideal for attractive, shadow-free portraits. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Artificial light
(incandescent light bulbs)
Ordinary household light bulbs produce an orangish light, giving your photos a warm look.
|
|
Fluorescent light
When shooting under fluorescent lights, the entire image may appear tinted green. |
|
|
|
The many colors of sunlight |
|
|
|
|
|
Keep in mind that over the course of the day, sunlight changes not only in direction but also color: white when the sun is directly overhead at midday, then more yellowish as the afternoon progresses, and finally orange as sunset approaches. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Digital cameras set white balance automatically to achieve the most natural color reproduction under various shooting conditions. Your camera may have a number of selectable settings to enable you to control white balance to compensate for sunlight or clouds, fluorescent or incandescent lighting.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Without white balance compensation
(fluorescent light)
|
|
With white balance compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global
Midday 
Late afternoon