Light Positioning

The position of your light source has a big impact on how it falls on the subject. Light originating from behind the camera, and pointing directly onwards gives very flat lighting. Side lighting produces a far more interesting subject. This is because it shows the shape of the subject much more and casts it in partial shadow giving a more dramatic look. Rembrandt lighting is an effective common example of this lighting type and is commonly use in portraiture.

Additionally, having one or more off camera flashes setup around a room while an event takes place can have an incredible impact on the photos. Lighting sourced from the back of your subject gives an alternative effect. This time most of the light is hitting the side of the subject making it brighter, which creates a more distinctive and dramatic photo.

Light Shape

If you need to reduce glare and harshness of shadows, the addition of a diffuser to your light source may be the solution. It gives your artificial light a softer, more natural look. There are a number of different ways to diffuse light, including the use of soft boxes, umbrellas and sheer heatproof material. An easy way to diffuse and increase the size of a light source is to bounce it off nearby walls. This saves the photographer from setting up large light modifiers and the hassle of moving them if different scenes/backgrounds are required.

Light Manipulation

Light can be manipulated to fall on a particular area of interest on your subject. This can be achieved through the use of diffusers and reflectors. Collapsible Reflectors shape sunlight or bounce flash light with an area you’d prefer to highlight. Spotlights can also be covered in light shapers that enable you to have more control over how the direction the light will fall and how broad the light spans.

Lighting can be, and often is, the difference between a beautiful photo and a horrible one. Although seemingly straight forward, there is a lot that goes into creating the perfect lighting, including a wide range of equipment. Hiring a professional photographer gives you access to both their equipment and expertise, guaranteeing the highest quality of photos.

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