Types of Light
Ambient light
the light that is already present in a scene, before any additional lighting is added.
- It usually refers to natural light, either outdoors or coming through windows etc.
- It can also mean artificial lights such as normal room lights
“Main light, fill light, and accent light are the main three lighting components that work together in the creation of a more complex setup.”
Main light
or key light, is the name given to the unit that lights the most important part of an image, giving it its shape and depth.
- In people photography, the main light is usually aimed at the front plane of the subject’s face, often also partially or entirely lighting the upper body. Without the main light, the subject would be barely visible, which is why this unit has the most important role in a shoot and is always the first one to be considered and positioned in the setup.
Fill light
A fill light is a light source used to fill in shadows caused by other lights (mainly a key light), but without creating harsh shadows of its own.
- reduce the contrast
Diffused light
Diffused light is a soft light with neither the intensity nor the glare of direct light. It is scattered and comes from all directions. Thus, it seems to wrap around objects. It is softer and does not cast harsh shadows.
Ceiling Bounce
Bounce flash is when, rather than firing your flashgun pointing directly at your subject, you point it elsewhere typically up or at an angle, bouncing off a wall or ceiling. The objective is to “bounce” light to soften it before it hits your subject.
Hair light
A hair light is simply a light that is used to do exactly what it sounds like: light up the hair. A hair light is generally placed behind the model and about 3 feet above the head, with the light angled down and slightly forward to strike the top of the head and shoulders.
Natural light
- the light from the sun
- sunlight indoor photographs made in natural light.
Color Temperature – What’s the Difference?
Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), and there are three common ranges: Warm Light (2700K-3000K); Cool White (3000K-5000K), and Daylight (5000K-6500K).
What are colour tungsten bulbs?
- Coloured light bulbs use the same process to turn electricity into light as incandescent bulbs. Electricity is passed through a filament of tungsten wire, which is heated and reacts with the inert gas mixture that surrounds it.
- A coloured light bulb is usually made the same way as a standard bulb, but the glass is then coated with a translucent paint or film.
Types of Portraits
Candid (subject aware)
Candid photography often results in more intimate photographs and reveals sincere emotion.
- When a shot is posed, subjects may feel self-conscious—this can sometimes show through in the final product.
- Luckily, candid moments photography and creating candid moments with your photography subjects is surprisingly easy.
Candid (subject unaware)
In candid photography the natural expressions of subject are captured in their original form. A Candid shot is typically one where you capture a moment where the subject(s) are unaware.
A candid photograph is a photo taken during unscripted moments where the subjects are unaware they are being photographed.
Posed (formal)
A portrait is an image of a person's face that clearly displays their likeness and may often display some aspect of their personality. A formal portrait is not a snapshot but a carefully arranged pose under effective lighting conditions.
Posed (informal)
An informal portrait is more than simply a nice snapshot. It should be casual and show the personality of the subject.
Strong, expressive informal portraits are the result of a successful interaction between the photojournalist and the subject. The most important element when shooting an informal portrait is for you to convey the character and personality of the subject honestly.
- With few exceptions, the informal portrait shot cannot be in a studio where the subject is posing. In this situation the subject may appear very formal and withdrawn.
- The informal portrait is best made when the subject is candid. This means photographing the subject in familiar surroundings, such as his home or place of work.
“If the person seems to be gregarious or reticent, formal or casual, aloof or down-to-earth, serious or jovial, I start to see how the pose, setting and lighting can convey those personality traits.”
Self Portrait
A self-portrait is a representation of an artist that is drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by that artist.
- While a portrait refers to any painting that depicts a human figure, a self-portrait refers to a painting that depicts the artist that produced it.
- Self-portraiture, whether produced in the medium of painting or of photography, is its own distinct genre of art, like that of the landscape or still life.
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