What is the role of light in a photograph? Lighting is a key element in making a photograph interesting. When setting up a shot, always consider the type of light available; see how the shadows fall on the subject. Pay attention to the direction of light as well.

Common Lighting Natural Lighting The light you receive that naturally exists in the area you are shooting the image.

Artificial Lighting The light you create in the area you are shooting the image, either by using a flash or spotlights.

Light Direction Light should show off the form of your subject matter It should cast shadows that are neither too dark nor too light It should give visual dominance to the main element(s) of your composition.

Diffused Light – lessens the contrast between lit and unlit areas of a scene, softening the edges of shadows and decreasing the strength of highlights throughout the image. Light is aimed straight at a subject is known as Direct Light. Light that is shone through something is Diffused light.

Kinds of Lighting Backlighting – any lighting arrangement that puts the subject between the camera and the light source. The light source is behind the subject in the photograph. This can usually result in a silhouette unless there is a little light that can illuminate the front of the subject as well.

Backlighting can sometimes be accidental, and underexpose your subject Backlighting can sometimes be accidental, and underexpose your subject. What could you do differently when you retake this shot?

Dappled Light This occurs when light is blocked in some areas and able to shine through in other areas of the scene, projecting light and shadows onto your subject as a result.

On-Camera Flash It can be a useful – though limited – picture taking aid. Most experienced photographers rarely use their on-camera flash – color tends to have an unnatural look. Since the flash is located near the lens and is aimed straight at the subject, this tends to overexpose the main subject, cast harsh shadows, and eliminate the naturally occurring shadows.

ISO

What is Bokeh? How do I create it?

Bokeh comes from the Japanese word boke which means "blur" or "haze", or boke-aji, the "blur quality." Bokeh is pronounced BOH-Kə or BOH-kay. Bokeh is defined as “the effect of a soft out-of-focus background that you get when shooting a subject, using a fast lens, at the widest aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider.” Simply put, bokeh is the pleasing or aesthetic quality of out-of-focus blur in a photograph

A good place to start when trying to achieve Bokeh in your photos is using a really fast shutter speed, and large/wide aperture setting. A fast lens also makes these effects easier to achieve.

Color Contamination This occurs when a colored object within the scene reflects its color onto other items within the compositional space.

Lighting Tips Natural Lighting changes minute by minute The spectrum of color available from the sun is at its richest just after sunrise and before sunset. Called “The Golden Hour” Another bonus of morning and evening light is the striking effect of the deep shadows being cast.

So Basically… When it comes to finding the focus & lighting you want, you need to find a good balance between the Aperture(f-stop), Shutter Speed, and ISO settings!

An Awesome Aperture, Shutter Speed, & ISO Chart!

Sources Cited Nikon Corporation. (n.d.). The Nikon Guide to Digital Photography with the D80 Camera. New York: Nikon, Inc. Photography. (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2006, from the Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography#Uses_of_photography Information acquired from my education in the Basic Photography class at WKU. Hirsch, R. (2007). Light and lens photography in the digital age. New York: Focal P. Frost, L. (2006). The A-Z of creative digital photography: Inspirational techniques explained in full. Cincinnati: David & Charles Limited. www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/.../bokeh-for-beginners.html Google image search for various photo examples