By Art Gib

Lighting plays a very important integral role in any kind of photography. You definitely need to factor in and take into consideration using effective lighting for taking those wonderful photos that “speak.”

Photography is an art combined with science, and the photographer is the artist who uses light with shade to embellish his creations! A photographer must know how to decode light and use both the natural sources of light (the sun and the moon) and as well artificial sources of light, as appropriate, to create unique photos.

Photography lighting can be basically categorized into four types. A skilled photographer should be capable of exploiting these types to maximize the impact of the images he captures on film.

Type 1 - Backlighting: The backlighting is the light that comes from a source behind the subject to be photographed. This kind of light has applications in creating silhouette images of the subject cast in shadows. Unless you have this kind of application, the backlighting usually tends to ruin the photo and you need to use a fill-flash to cancel the effects of backlighting.

Type 2 - Side lighting: Side lighting can dramatically affect your photos in a severe manner just like the backlighting. However, in this case, its source of brightness comes from the left or right of the subject. It creates an effect where one side is thrown to total darkness, while the other side is put to the spot light. If you are looking at creating a natural portrait, you need to use something like a white poster board or suitable light reflecting surface to reflect light against the darkened side of the face. Such a technique bounces back enough light on the subject and reduces the effect of side lighting.

Type 3 - Diffused lighting: Diffused lighting is ideally suited for most photos. This lighting technique finds maximum applicability if you need to take photos in bright sunlight. You need to make use of some kind of shade, with the help of an umbrella or some other similar object that serves the purpose, to diffuse the direct light falling on the subject and make it optimum. Too much light tends to make the contrasting shadows too dark and the colors washed out.

Type 4 - Artificial lighting: Artificial lighting makes use of light from artificial sources, either if natural light is insufficient or to specifically enhance the quality of the photos. On camera flash is the simplest form of artificial lighting and is also very easy and effective to use, but can cause the terrible red eye effect at times. Off camera flash, making use of halogen lamps, is relatively better as the light can be bounced for a softer effect.

About The Author

Finding a quality photographer is essential to having great, lasting memories. Come use WeddingPhotographyinUtah.com and check out our Utah wedding photographers and Salt Lake wedding photographers.