I recently ran across a video from photographer Karl Taylor who has a series of YouTube videos and some on-line classes. In his video “Essential Skills that Will Transform You Photographs,” Karl introduces you to a few ways to look at lighting and how you can incorporate it into your photography.
He first defines light in to several categories. These primary light categories he uses are hard light, and soft light. You can think of hard light as direct light like that which comes from the sun. Hard light is a high contrast light producing defined shadows and well defined textures. Conversely, soft light is a low contrast light producing an even flat light and soft shadows.
Both types of light are found throughout the day when we are photographing and we just have to work with the light to produce the best image and one that conveys what you are trying to accomplish.
Karl uses a sunset photograph to both demonstrate the light and to show how to use it to create the image you are trying to create. He then moves indoors and again demonstrates how to use these two categories of light to create a portrait.
Watching the video will probably give you a few things to think about but the best way to understand how to utilize the different types of light is to go out and shoot some photographs around your own house or at a local park. See what using reflectors (remember you can make your own and even use a piece of paper as a reflector) can do to enhance your image.
