Painting with Light

For me, lighting is key in creating a beautiful image. Often, you hear that "Photography is painting with light". And, I believe that. Without light, you have nothing.

Lighting determines many things. It determines brightness and darkness, and also tone, mood and the environment/atmosphere of the image. Is your image showcasing a fun moment in someone's life? Or is it showcasing something more somber?

If you wanted to depict somberness, then having the brightness turned down rather than splashing light all over is your best choice. If you wanted to showcase "fun", then choose a brighter scene where the light is wrapping around your subjects.

In other words, it is necessary to control and manipulate the light correctly in order to get the best "look" for the scene. By using shadows and highlights correctly, you can create a great professional looking photograph.

Split, Hard Lighting

This pose called for a more intense, commanding look. The strobe was placed on the side of the subject (thus, the shadow on his face) with the sun behind.

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.

Overall Flat, Soft Lighting

Front, Hard Lighting

Using Off Camera Flash

If you really want to "paint with light", then you need to have an external light source that will create the beautiful dimension that you see in paintings. Going for a 3D look in photography gives your images that "wow" factor and creates a more pleasing image.

The Sun

Using the sun as your external light source is a great idea. After all, it is a light source! Knowing when and how to use the sun, though, is key. The sun is actually a very hard light source because it is so far away in the sky. It creates a small, directional line of light that can cause harsh shadows on your subject, especially is the sun is overhead.

Have you ever seen "racoon eyes" on your subject? That term comes from the harsh shadow that appears under your subjects eyes when the sun is overhead. The light stops and is blocked by the subject's head and creates that shadow.

Have you ever seen the "glow" on your subject's hair and head if the sun is behind your subject? That is the most beautiful light! But, if your subject is in front of the light, and that light behind your subject is the brightest, then what happens to your subject's face? Yep-it becomes very dark. So, if you are placing the sun behind your subject to create that beautiful glow, be sure you have another external light source in front of your subject to illuminate his or her face!

Clients would sometimes be disappointed if their outside portraits were not in the FULL sun, but on a more cloudy, overcast day. I used to say, "but this is the perfect lighting situation!" Why? Because those clouds act as a giant softbox of the sun's light! They diffuse the light to create a more pleasing, soft light. I then used my external light source to ADD light for shadows and contrast. Or, depending on the mood of the image, just used the sun and the clouds for a more flat lighting effect.

Soft Light-Sun behind, Strobe in front

Using the sun behind your subject can create a beautiful glow. Remember to use another external light source in the front, though, to illuminate your subjects face. Or, they will be in the dark!

Softbox/Modifier Size

Whatever type of diffuser/light modifier you are using depends on what kind of light you want to see in your image. If you use a large modifier, then your light will be spread out all over and create a beautiful, soft lighting effect. If you use a small light source (like a flashlight), your light is all stuffed into a small area that has to come out a very small area! It will produce a very harsh source that creates hard lines and contrast between the shadows and light. It is very directional. Think of it like a pencil drawing that goes from one point to another. That line is fairly narrow and small.

What is a modifier/softbox anyway?

The name describes the use fairly well. The "modifier" modifies the light so it is not so harsh. A softbox is just one kind of a modifier. Usually, a softbox has a diffuser, which "diffuses" or spreads out the light over a large area. Thus, the light will be "soft" not harsh. Other modifiers include umbrellas, barn doors, and reflectors.

Best Tips

Use an external light source to create the best possible image
Know what type of mood you want to create with your image
Know what direction the light is coming from
Know what type of light you want-intense, high contrast between light and shadows, flat or soft
Learn all you can about lighting!
Practice and create often!

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