Characteristics of common light levels in photography

1, along the light, also known as "front light", the light projection direction is always consistent with the camera shooting direction.

When the illumination of the subject is uniform, the shadow of the scene is covered by itself, and the tone is soft, which can hide the bumps and wrinkles on the surface of the subject, but it will be dull if it is not handled properly.

2. Side light (oblique side light): photographic lighting when the horizontal direction of light projection makes an angle of about 45 degrees with the camera lens.

In photographic art creation, it is often used as the main modeling light. This kind of lighting can change the brightness of the subject. It shows the three-dimensional sense of the subject well. Surface texture and outline, and can enrich the dark level of the picture, play a good role in modeling.

3. Side light: The direction of light projection is about 90 degrees from the shooting direction. Objects illuminated by side light have obvious dark surfaces and projections, which have a strong expressive force on the three-dimensional shape and texture of the scene.

The disadvantage is that it often forms too eclectic semi-bright and semi-dark hue and gradation, and often forms uneven scenery of large scenes. This requires that the proportional relationship between the scene and the shadow on the light receiving surface should be considered when composing the picture.

4. Side backlight: also known as back side light and back side light.

The light projection direction is about 135 degrees horizontal to the camera shooting direction. Most of the scenery illuminated by side backlight is in the shadow, and the illuminated side of the scene is often sharp, which can better express the outline form and three-dimensional sense of the scene.

This kind of lighting can better show the perspective effect of the atmosphere in location photography. When using side backlight for close-up and close-up, it is generally necessary to provide auxiliary lighting for people to avoid too dark face, but the brightness of auxiliary lighting should be controlled to avoid affecting the natural lighting effect of side backlight.

5. Backlight: also known as "backlight".

The light from the back of the object can only illuminate the outline of the object, so it is also called side light. There are three forms of backlight: front backlight, side backlight and top backlight.

6. Top light: light from above the main body.

Under the top lighting, the horizontal illumination of the scene is greater than the vertical illumination, and the brightness range of the scene is large, lacking the middle level. Shooting people under the top light will produce unusual effects, such as bright forehead, black eye socket, drooping nose shadow, prominent cheekbones and shadows on both cheeks, which is not conducive to shaping the aesthetic feeling of the people.

7. Footlight: a light that illuminates people or scenery from below. The front light is called forefoot light, which forms a bottom-up projection and produces an abnormal shape.

It is often used as a light source in performance pictures, such as oil lamps, table lamps, bonfires and other natural lighting effects. Or it can be used as a modeling method to depict special characters, special emotions and render special atmosphere.

It can also be used as a decorative light for the face. The foot light behind the scene is called the back foot light. This kind of light can decorate and beautify people's hair, especially women's long hair or details of the scene, and is often used as effect light in studio shooting.