Lighting Tips

Common Mistakes

1) Not illuminating your subject

When your subject is between you and your light source, or if there is insufficient light, consider using flash. If your subject is backlit, you will silhouette their image against your bright background, unless you use flash. Bottom line, make sure your subject is properly exposed.

When you are between your light source and your subject, be careful to keep your shadow out of the image. A photographer's shadow immediately draws attention away from the intended subject, and can be hard to crop out after the shot is taken. To fix it, change the angle at which you shoot: move left, move right, or move down and point up.

Avoid using flash when the background of your shot reflects light. If your subject is standing in front of a glass window at night, for example, be careful that the reflection of your flash does not show up in the final image. Same goes for reflective objects within the shot - say the wine glass or bottle being held by your subject. Rounded items are hard to prevent flash reflection, but flat images can be angled such that the reflection does not aim right back at the camera.

Be aware of your flash's maximum distance - it is often shorter than you think, and only brightens the objects within that distance. Read your camera's manual to find the flash distance. If you're in a dimly lit church taking wedding photos from the back row, flash will only light up the pews directly in front of you. Instead, disable your flash, stabilize your camera (preferably using a tripod), and slow down your shutter speed.

Harsh Lighting

Here are some tips to get the best out of mid-day sun:

1) Use the strong shadows and contrasts created by overhead light to create abstract photos
2) Use a polarizing filter to boost colours
3) To avoid lens flare, keep your lenses and filters spotless - any hint of dirt will cause lens flare. Alternatively, use a lens hood.
4) For places with water, try to capture relfections, as they have less contrasty scenes. Beach scenes apparently look their best in harsh light.
5) Avoid shooting landscape scenes because they will appear flat and lifeless.
6) Avoid shooting portraits in direct overhead sunlight. Instead, move your subject into the shade, and use reflectors to bounce the light back at them.

Backlighting

Backlighting Definition: The main source of light on your subject (e.g. the sun, a remote flashgun) is from behind.

Backlighting is good for highlighting edge details, such as a flower spine or a model's hair. It is also great for photographing translucent subjects, such as flower petals or coloured glass. Meter off the shaded background of your subject in order to get a balanced exposure.

Reflectors

Reflector Definition: A surface that reflects diffuse light onto a subject in order to diminish shadows. White fabric, polystyrene, or cardboard covered with aluminum foil make good reflectors. Foldaway reflectors sold at photography stores are more convenient, but also quite expensive.

Reflectors are good for lightening shadowy parts of your subject by carefully placing them on the darkest side of your subject that is furthest from the (diffuse) light. Avoid putting a reflector too close to your subject or else the shadows you are trying to diminish will look overlit. For example, a top-lit model might be asked to hold a reflector on her lap and aim it at her chin, so as to reduce the contrast of the final image. Or you might prop a reflector on the ground below a flower whose underside is in shadow from leaves and petals.

A shiny reflector (e.g. silver) can be useful on an overcast day to add a sparkle to your subject. The larger the reflector, the softer the light will seem.