Shelton Muller shows us how different lighting techniques influence our subjects and why an understanding of light is crucial to the success of our images.

Understanding light is at the heart of successful photography. Light is the tool we use to create images. More than any other element in our images, light reveals the very nature of our subject because it can single-handedly convey – even alter – its character to the viewer. Let’s begin by shedding some light (so to speak) on the ways in which light affects our subject and reveals shape, form, texture and emotion.

Using light to reveal shape

Shape is the simplest means of identifying an object. Think of a hand, a tree or a human profile.

Light can be used effectively to identify the object and thus make it real to the mind. One way to reveal shape only is to silhouette the subject using backlighting. Rim lighting also reveals shape by illuminating the outer edge of the subject. These lighting techniques combined with minimal background detail are powerful tools for accentuating shape.

Using light to reveal form

Light can be used to convey three dimensions within a two-dimensional frame. Angled lighting creates a range of graduating tones and shadows and thus conveys a three-dimensional form to the mind. Diffused light will reduce contrast for greater detail in shadows. Hard light and little reflection will allow less detail in shadows. This can also be used to reveal form, and the decision lies with you for each subject and image. For greater form, ensure your subject is turned to the light to reveal as many surfaces and angles as possible. Backlighting will silhouette the subject and offers little sense of dimensionality.

Using light to reveal texture

Texture appeals to our tactile nature. Light can be used in such a way that we can almost “feel” the subject, and thus impacts on the mind. To reveal texture, angle the light toward the subject from the top, side or back. Frontal lighting – such as a camera’s flash – only conceals it.

The more subtle the texture, the harder the lighting required. This is generally the rule, although portraiture can suffer under this kind of lighting. Hard lighting (undiffused light with little shadow detail) is rarely complimentary with portraits, unless the skin texture is such that soft lighting is incongruent with it – i.e. the rugged face of a stockman or the life-lined texture of an elderly person.

Using light to evoke emotion

The colour of light evokes emotion. While we may not think of light as having different colours, a day spent studying the colour of the sun’s rays as it travels from one horizon to the other will reveal that it begins with a warm morning glow and then becomes more blue the higher it climbs in the sky. The late afternoon light warms again and continues to do so until the sun sets.

Because we relate colours to emotions, we can cleverly use colour to suggest them. Warm light is used to create the idea of romance, love and comfort etc. Cold blue light is usually less comfortable to the mind and is used to convey coolness, discomfort, sadness, harshness and so on.

Shadow and contrast also create emotion. The greater the contrast, the harder the images appear.

Light has a variety of characteristics at any given time. The above techniques are often combined for greater impact. Carefully studying studio lighting techniques is a great way to gain an understanding of how light can be created and used. Learning to use the available light and lighting equipment effectively is the key to successful photography.

Shelton Muller is the editor of this blog. He welcomes comments or questions regarding this article or any other aspect of this site. Write to shelton@total-image.com.au.

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Related:

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Ten Tips for Shooting Summer Weddings

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The Art of Perspective and Viewpoint. Part 2

Photographic tips: Understanding naturally lit portraits

Entry was posted on Sunday, April 15th, 2007 at 3:43 am under Tutorials, Tutorials - lighting.

Read more entries by Shelton Muller.