Photography is all about the light. Lighting is referred to as the photographer’s paintbrush. Without any type of light your photographs would turn out too dark and ultimately underexposed. The right lighting can make or break an image setting the stage for others to see it as a snapshot or a photograph. How to use lighting to your advantage and which would suit the image best is an acquired skill.

Natural Lighting:
Probably the most flattering form of lighting, perhaps because this is the way we see most things and most people everyday. To make the most of any natural light whether it is outdoors, indoors or just a shaft of light coming in through a window, lighting, fireworks, and the moon can enhance the quality of photo shoot.

Side Lighting:
Side lighting can also add a dramatic look to your photographs. With a side lit photograph one side of your subject’s body will be illuminated while the other side may be in total darkness.

Rim Lighting:
If the light source is behind the subject, the lighting is referred as back lighting. Even though the lighting is behind the subject, it directs the lighting towards the camera.
Ambient Light:

Soft or Diffuse Light:
When light is diffused it gives a soft glow to photographs adding warm tones to the image. The results are natural soft light with softer shadows.

Hard Light:
Most photographers avoid this time of the day. High-contrast light by placing bright highlights on the peaks and then quickly fall off into shadow between the peaks is called hard lighting.

Artificial Lighting:
Artificial lighting is not always as easy and fun as using the natural light of the sun, but you can use it to create some wonderful photographs once you have mastered the skill and know how.

Various Combinations of Lighting:
The combination of front and side lighting, giving a slightly different effect. The combination of accent lighting, house lighting and photographer’s lighting must be effectively blended to give the viewer a clear feeling of what it’s like.