How to use common light in photography?

The direction of light plays a very important role in photography, which can affect the distribution of light and shadow, the expression of color and even the expression of emotion. As a photographer, are you still stuck in the camera? To make progress, "mastering the direction of light" is an unavoidable topic.

First of all, smooth light.

When we hold the camera and face the subject directly, the light source is in the same direction as my shooting, that is, it is located directly behind the photographer, and the subject will be fully illuminated. This is the light at this time, called shunguang.

Most people like to shoot along the light, because this is our most common and simplest light source direction. Both portraits and landscapes can present rich details and harmonious impressions in the sun.

Matters needing attention when shooting along the light

When shooting in smooth light, the outline of the model's face will obviously cover the protruding areas (nose, eyelids and chin) due to the direct illumination of the light source. If the light is too straight, the five senses will lose their three-dimensional sense and become flat, and the model's eyes may be narrowed by direct light. If we don't pay attention, our shadow will accidentally enter the picture.

Second, sidelight

When the light source makes an angle of 45~90 degrees with the object being photographed, we call it sidelight. Unlike the front light, the side light will form a wide range of angles with the object.

Matters needing attention in sidelight shooting.

Because there is an angle between the light and the object, the light and shade alternate, so the object will produce obvious shadows under the side light, which makes the side light more stereoscopic than the smooth light.

When shooting with sidelight, the key is to grasp the shadow and how to use it to increase the three-dimensional sense and make the outline more prominent.

Third, the backlight

When the direction of the light source comes from the back of the subject, it is called backlight. In most cases, try to avoid backlight, because the contrast is too large, and it is difficult to grasp the exposure difference between the foreground and the background. But this is not a defect, because it can also be used to create sunny pictures, such as low-contrast fresh portraits, silhouettes and so on.

Matters needing attention in backlight shooting.

When shooting in reverse light, the light source will be aimed at the lens, and too much light will be diffracted in the lens, resulting in glare or white shadow on the screen. In order to avoid these phenomena, we can add a hood or change the angle of the lens to deviate from the direct angle of the light source.

Fourth, the dome light

When the light source is located directly above the subject, it is called top light. The most common situation is that you go out to take pictures at noon and the sun is just overhead.

Matters needing attention in top light shooting.

When shooting in the top light, the shadow is perpendicular to the ground. Taking pictures of buildings or portraits is not a good choice.