Direct Light
This light is present when it is coming from above (the sky) or behind you. It is best to employ this type of lighting approach when the sun is shining exceptionally brightly. It also works well when there is a lot of cloud cover because of the softer shadows it produces. Direct light makes it difficult to make a mistake.
Here is an example of direct light:
Overhead Light
On sunny days, photographers often prefer to use overhead light when the sun is directly shining down on the subject. This type of lighting creates a dramatic effect and offers viewers a fresh perspective on the object being photographed. Many photographers find this lighting technique appealing and frequently utilise it in their work.
Here is an example of Overhead Light:
Side Light
Side light is when the light comes from the side of the subject. It can happen when the sun shines from one side or when there's a contrast between shaded and open areas. This lighting creates an interesting effect where half of the subject's face appears bright and the other half is in shadows. To make the most of side light, it's recommended to have the subject look towards the light source.
Here is an example of Side Light:
Back Light
Back lighting is when the main light source is behind your subject, like the setting sun. It can create warm and beautiful orange backgrounds in photos. However, it can be challenging because you need a secondary light source, like the open sky, in front of your subject.
If the light from behind is too strong or the light from in front is too weak, it can cause problems with the photo. The sky might become too bright and appear all white, while your subject may become very dark. This happens because the camera can only capture one level of brightness at a time. There's no secret trick to back lighting, but we can explore it further to improve our skills.
Remember that if you expose yourself to the bright sky, everything else will be dark. Alternatively, if you expose your subject, the sky will be overexposed. It's about finding the right balance and understanding the limitations of your camera or phone.
Here is an example of Back Light:
High Key Lighting
High Key Lighting is a lighting style that can produce a bright lit frame with soft lighting, minimal shadows with also low contrast. High key lighting can help build a cheerful, airy, and positive mood, which can be used in many celebration events or anything to do with happiness. Even though high key lighting mainly features bright tones and highlights, it is important to maintain some level of contrast to prevent the image of looking washed out or flat.
Here is an example of High Key Lighting:
Low Key Lighting
Low-key lighting photography is a genre of photography that involves using dark-colored scenes by reducing the intensity of the front light, known as low-key lighting. This technique uses natural or artificial light on specifics areas of the frame, creating a mysterious atmosphere to a photography.
Here is an example of Low Key Lighting:
Rembrandt Lighting
Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique commonly used in studio photography and even cinematography. It involves creating an illuminated triangle, known as the Rembrandt Patch which is under the subjects eye on the less illuminated side of their face. This technique is really popular as it produces a natural and captivating image with minimal equipment.
Here is an example of Rembrandt Lighting:
Paramount Lighting
Paramount Lighting, also known as the "butterfly lighting", is a portrait illumination technique where a single light source is positioned above the subject at an angle. It gets its name from the butterfly-shaped shadow that forms under the nose. This lighting technique got really popular in the early 20th century, thanks to celebrities like Marlene Dietrich.
Here is an example of Paramount Lighting:
Split Lighting
Split lighting is a lighting technique that is being used in portrait photography that illuminates only half of a subjects face while leaving the other half in shadow. This creates a dramatic effect and over the dramatic atmosphere in any portrait photography that uses the split lighting technique.
Here is an example of Split Lighting:
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