Aspects of Light

There are three aspects to light-Quality, Intensity, and Direction.

QUALITY-What is quality of light? It is hard or soft? In other words, do the shadows have hard lines and are they well defined? That is hard light. Are the shadows feathered, not very well defined, and softer? That is soft light.

Depending on what type of mood, atmosphere, and subject you have, will depend on what type of light you want. If you are going for the light, airy look, you want a softer light. If you are going for an edgy, athletic portrait, you might want a harder light.

The type of light you want is also dependent on the size of the light source and the distance it is to the subject. The sun is actually a very large light source, but since it is so far away from us, it is a hard light source. Whereas a 3x4 soft box positioned 4 feet from your subject is a smaller light source than the sun, but because it is diffused and is closer to your subject, you will have much softer light.

INTENSITY-What does that mean? Basically, how bright is your light source? Is it a small flashlight that gives out a small circle of light, but is super bright? Or is it a large softbox that has many bulbs in it? The intensity of your light will also determine the mood and atmosphere of your image.

DIRECTION-Where is your light source coming from? Above, below, or from the side? Perhaps from the front? The direction of the light source will also determine what type of light you have, how deep the shadows will be,  if you will have any shadows at all, and how hard or soft it will be. Light coming from the front usually wraps around the subject and produces "flat lighting" with no shadows at all. This can be a very pretty light for models, and for those who wish to hide imperfections. But, there is no dimension.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that go into making the light work well in your image! Stay tuned for more about light in another post!