What are the directions of light that can be used during photography?

Photography is the art of light. Without light, photography is like a painter without paint. The use of light in portrait photography is particularly important. We can not only use natural light to shape characters, but also use artificial light sources. to create characters. Therefore, portrait photography mainly uses light to express the people being photographed, in order to achieve the purpose of expressing different themes and producing different effects. The direction of light. Master the direction of light to take portraits. The understanding of light can be classified according to the direction of light. The direction of light is based on the relative positions of the source of the light, the subject and the camera. It can be divided into forward light, top light, side light and backlight. Each of these four light modes has different characteristics, and the effects obtained when used for portrait photography are also different. Different light can not only reflect the atmosphere and environment of the picture, but also express the personality characteristics of the subject. Because the direction of light shining on the character determines whether and where shadows are produced, it is these shadows that give the photographed characters a visual form. For example, when shooting, using side light can make a person's body look more contoured, and it will also have a three-dimensional effect. Use the soft light of a cloudy day to take frontal close-up shots, and don’t be afraid that direct sunlight will produce ugly reflections and thick shadows on the person’s face. Smooth light Shooting with smooth light Smooth light makes the subject have no shadow at all. All parts of the person being photographed are directly bathed in light. This light direction shows that most of the shadow area of ??the face and body of the person being photographed is small, and the tone of the picture is relatively clear. The three-dimensional sense of the person being photographed does not depend on the lighting. It is formed by the contrast between light and dark, and the three-dimensional sense of the characters is weak. When shooting, choosing the right light angle can better grasp the atmosphere of the picture. The ideal position with the light is at a low angle, such as early morning and evening. The pictures taken are brighter and softer, with a fresh and natural atmosphere. It can also be used for smooth-light shooting under the harsh light of the afternoon. The strong light is suitable for expressing the tough and high-profile character of the subject. Top light Top light means that the light is directly above the subject one hour before and after noon. Under normal circumstances, it is not recommended to use top light as the main light source for portrait photography, because direct top light will cause strong shadows on the subject's eyes, eye sockets, cheeks, nose and lower edge of the chin. Moreover, the top of the head, forehead and nose of the subject will be reflected too brightly. Fixed light shooting: When shooting, you can ask the subject to put on a hat, hold an umbrella, or go to a dark place to shoot. Professional portrait photographers use light-control screens to adjust the contrast of the image and soften direct sunlight. Tips In order to shoot normally under top light, the easiest way is to use a reflector to light the model in the shadow. When using a reflector, you should pay attention to the reflection angle between the sun and the reflector. Try to let the reflected light completely hit the subject's face, and adjust the position of the subject's eyeball reflection (eye light). Side light Side light can be divided into front side light and side light. Side light refers to light coming from the side of the subject. Side lighting is very commonly used in portrait photography. Side light can create a three-dimensional sense of the subject's facial contours and figure. Whether shooting portraits on location or in the studio, side light must be used in conjunction with reflectors. Reflectors can control the contrast in the picture, making dark and bright parts harmonious and clear. Front side light: Front side light can produce a good interaction between light and shadow, with a balanced proportion. Most of the face and body of the subject are illuminated, resulting in high brightness, forming a brighter tone, while part of the subject is not exposed to light. While producing shadows, the rich tones in the form reflect a three-dimensional effect, and the surface structure is subtly expressed. Front side light shooting Side light is dramatic light used to emphasize the strong contrast between light and dark. The side of the subject facing the light is bathed in strong light; while the backlit side is buried in darkness. The shadows are deep and intense. The surface structure stands out due to every tiny protrusion. As the shadow of the subject gradually increases, the tone of the shadow should be strictly controlled. If the intensity of the light and the tone of the shadow are suitable, there is no need to adjust the brightness of the shadow and shoot directly. If the light is too strong, the shadow will be too strong. If the shadow is heavy, you need to use a reflector or other fill light method to increase the brightness of the shadow to achieve the desired tone effect. Backlight Backlight means that the light comes from behind the subject, which will emphasize the outline of the subject. Backlight has a special use in portrait photography. It can not only outline the outline of the character, but also express a strong personality. At the same time, backlight shooting is also a difficult problem for beginners. Since the light directly shines into the camera, the camera's metering system is prone to misjudgment, causing the subject's face to darken. Backlight shooting silhouette effect If you only expose according to the camera's metering value, the subject will become a black silhouette. If you use balanced exposure, you can still capture the details of the image despite the strong contrast between the subject and the light behind it. If the light source is high, it will create a bright outline on top of the subject. Tips: Under normal exposure shooting, the subject's face often appears too dark. This is the reflection of the reflector. It is very convenient to use a reflector when there is backlight. As long as the reflector is placed on the subject, the reflection will be obvious. The distance between the reflector and the subject must be appropriately adjusted to avoid excessively bright reflections.