How Lighting Photography Techniques

Lighting techniques determine the overall result of your image and plays a critical role in revealing the texture and form of the subject. Understanding where the source come from is critical in photography. For photographers, natural and artificial (studio) light are two available sources.

In outdoor photography, light changes constantly. Always consider the angle and intensity of the source as well as its distance to the subject. A thorough understanding of natural light will help you control the brightness in your images. Moreover, understanding this important element in photography helps to create and recreate many different effects in a studio environment.

Most photographers are interested in portrait lighting but do not understand how to do it. Same concepts can be used with flash unites, however you will not be able to see the effect until after shooting it. In order for you to control the harshness of the light, you need to practice. Wrong technique will result in narrow or round face. There are four main styles of lighting namely, broad, short, butterfly and Rembrandt lighting.

The Importance of Temperature In Photography

A photographer must also understand the sun's color scale (color temperature) which is the actual colors that human eye can see. Color temperature defines visible light. It is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. Yellow to red are called warm colors, blue to white are called cool colors (see Color temperature).

If you observe carefully, the sun evokes hues in the morning and neutral colors during the afternoon. These neutral colors occupy a part of the definition you'd like to include in your photographs. Afternoon offers warmer tones with reds and yellows.

The Importance of Angle

The sun is the source of all daylight. The angle or its direction can bring plenty of shadows or remove them. The day light changes throughout the day creating two main light effects: hard and soft light. These two sources are also used in studio photography.

Hard Light

Simply means director bright sunlight. It is equivalent to the brightest time during the day when the sky is clear. It is harsh and could be used for amazing effects. This method is used for contrast as it results in more definition and shadow. The angle of this technique determines the overall effects.

Five Composition Photography Tips

In order to enhance the impact of your scene, there are various composition guidelines that you may apply in most situations. These guidelines are designed to enable you to take more compelling photographs with natural balance, so as to draw attention to the most important parts of your scene. Below are some basic photography tips in composition.

1. The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds states that the most important elements in your scene should be positioned along the vertical and horizontal lines that divide your image into equal segments, or at their points of intersection. Be sure to apply the rule of thirds so as to add balance and interest to your photo. Certain cameras provide you with the option of superimposing a rule of thirds grid over your LCD screen, which makes it much easier to use.

2. Balancing Elements

When you place your main subject off-centre with the aim of creating a photo that is much more interesting, this could leave a void in your scene, which could in turn make it feel empty. Be sure to include another object of lesser importance to fill up the space and thereby balance the weight of your subject.

3. Leading Lines

Our eyes are naturally drawn along lines when we look at a photo. It is therefore important to think about how to place the lines in your composition, as these may affect the way in which we view the image. This could have the effect of pulling us towards the subject and into the picture, or taking us on a journey through the scene. To enhance the composition of your photo, you may use various types of lines including the diagonal, straight, radial, zigzag and curvy.

4. Symmetry and Patterns

All around us, there is symmetry, whether natural or manmade. Symmetry is a great element for creating an eye-catching composition, especially in situations in which symmetry is not expected. Alternatively, you may introduce tension and a focal point to your scene by breaking up the pattern or symmetry.

5. Viewpoint

The viewpoint is where you shoot your subject from. Your viewpoint is important as it can have a great impact on the photo's composition, thereby greatly affecting the message your shot is supposed to convey. Instead of always shooting from eye level, you could photograph your subject from high above, the back, the side, very close up, a long distance away or even down at ground level.