Chapter 6: Working with Lighting and Flash
Do you have enough light? Lighting is the most important element in photography. Fortunately, your camera’s light meter serves as a guide. However, even if the light meter indicates that there is enough light in a scene to achieve a proper exposure, there is still a lot to consider before pressing the shutter button. No lighting situation is perfect for every subject. Some subjects look best with soft light, while others stand out in hard light. This chapter explores the lighting choices available to you when contemplating various types of scenes. Sometimes, natural light is the best choice, while other environments require flash to capture the subject. If you know how to use it to your advantage, proper lighting can make a good scene fantastic.
Understanding how to use light can greatly improve your images.
The Importance of Light and Shadow
The foundation of photography is light, and how you approach it separates the beginner from the more experienced photographer. Lighting doesn’t have to be difficult, though. My best advice is to start with one light, and learn how the direction, quality, and color all play a role in creating good images. Using one main light source also helps you learn how to manage shadows. Once you feel more confident, you can add more lights. If you follow this basic rule, managing light will come more naturally ...
