Types of light used for shooting Modeling effects
Whether it is natural light or artificial light, it can be divided into three categories according to different textures: direct light, scattered light and reflected light. In direct light, it can be divided into five types according to different directions: front light, front side light, side light, side backlight and backlight. Before using these interesting lights for shooting, you must first understand their different characteristics.
Direct light
Direct light is called "direct" because its light is projected directly onto the subject. Direct sunlight is the strongest light in nature. When it is projected onto an object, it can produce a clear shadow and a strong contrast between light and dark. Sunlight under a clear sky and most artificial light are direct light. When the surface of the subject has undulating or irregular shapes, direct light can show its texture and three-dimensional sense, often giving people a "hard" feeling, so direct light is often called "hard light".
Scattered light
For those lights that do not have a specific direction, they are generally called "scattered light". Scattered light in nature often appears in cloudy weather. This is because sunlight will be filtered and refracted when it passes through clouds or fog, and eventually become soft scattered light without obvious directionality. If you want to turn artificial direct light into scattered light, it is feasible to add a soft light cover in front of the light source or use a reflector to obtain soft light. Due to the formation characteristics of scattered light, the light distribution is relatively uniform when it shines on the subject, and the object will not have obvious light-receiving and shadow surfaces, which makes it easier for the subject to show its own color and delicacy.
Reflected light
It is very different from the previous two types of light, because reflected light is a kind of light reflected from direct light or scattered light through a reflective medium. The medium required for reflected light can be a calm water surface, the exterior wall glass of a building, etc. in nature, while the reflector is a professional accessory used for fill light for portraits or small objects. Reflected light itself does not have a strong modeling effect. In daily life, it is basically used to fill light or express special scenes, but reflected light is an indispensable light in photography.
Frontal light that reveals plainness and tranquility
Frontal light is also called "front light", which is the light shining from the front of the subject. At this time, the photographer is shooting with his back to the light source, and the optical axis of the camera lens forms an angle of about with the light.
When the frontal light is shining, the direction of the light source is consistent with that of the camera, and the light source shines on the subject from the front, ensuring that most of the subject is fully illuminated. Since the projection direction of the frontal light is directly facing the subject, the shadow of the light falls on the back of the object, and there is no obvious boundary between the light and dark of the subject, and the picture reveals a bright and quiet visual experience.
Front side light that expresses three-dimensionality and texture
As the name suggests, front side light refers to the light shining from the front side of the subject. In the written definition, it is also called side light, because the direction of its light projection forms an angle of about with the subject and the camera lens.
Front side light can make the subject produce rich tones, bring a certain three-dimensional sense to the picture, and clearly show the texture of the surface of the object, restore the color of the whole picture, and is very suitable for shooting outdoor scenery, urban architecture and environmental portraits.
Side light that highlights the light and dark structure
Side light is the light that shines from one side of the subject. Since the side of the subject facing the light is in strong light, every detail is highlighted, while the backlit side is buried in darkness, and the shadow is deep and strong. Therefore, this light is sometimes called "structured light".
Since side light will form obvious light and dark areas, the illuminated surface, backlit surface and shadow part can make the subject have a strong three-dimensional sense, and also make the picture have a certain sense of direction. It is very suitable for shooting scenery and architecture. And this kind of light can produce a "yin and yang face" on the character, which is more suitable for expressing the tough character of men.
Side backlighting to create a sense of air perspective and layering
Side backlighting is light coming from the side and rear of the subject, which forms an angle of approximately with the lens optical axis. At this time, a small part of the front of the subject is illuminated, and the shadow side occupies most of the subject, so the tone appears heavier. However, side backlighting can well show the three-dimensional contour of the subject and the strong air perspective effect, making the tone and layering of the picture richer.
Using side backlighting to shoot scenery can create a clear light ratio between the subject and the background, so that the subject is highlighted. Especially for some subjects with translucent shapes, side backlighting makes them appear more transparent and bright. When using side backlighting to shoot people, if you want to ensure accurate exposure of the front of the person, you need to add appropriate fill light.
Direct light is called "direct" because its light is projected directly onto the subject. Direct sunlight is the strongest light in nature. When it is projected onto an object, it can produce a clear shadow and a strong contrast between light and dark. Sunlight under a clear sky and most artificial light are direct light. When the surface of the subject has undulating or irregular shapes, direct light can show its texture and three-dimensional sense, often giving people a "hard" feeling, so direct light is often called "hard light".
Scattered light
For those lights that do not have a specific direction, they are generally called "scattered light". Scattered light in nature often appears in cloudy weather. This is because sunlight will be filtered and refracted when it passes through clouds or fog, and eventually become soft scattered light without obvious directionality. If you want to turn artificial direct light into scattered light, it is feasible to add a soft light cover in front of the light source or use a reflector to obtain soft light. Due to the formation characteristics of scattered light, the light distribution is relatively uniform when it shines on the subject, and the object will not have obvious light-receiving and shadow surfaces, which makes it easier for the subject to show its own color and delicacy.
Reflected light
It is very different from the previous two types of light, because reflected light is a kind of light reflected from direct light or scattered light through a reflective medium. The medium required for reflected light can be a calm water surface, the exterior wall glass of a building, etc. in nature, while the reflector is a professional accessory used for fill light for portraits or small objects. Reflected light itself does not have a strong modeling effect. In daily life, it is basically used to fill light or express special scenes, but reflected light is an indispensable light in photography.
Frontal light is also called "front light", which is the light shining from the front of the subject. At this time, the photographer is shooting with his back to the light source, and the optical axis of the camera lens forms an angle of about with the light.
When the frontal light is shining, the direction of the light source is consistent with that of the camera, and the light source shines on the subject from the front, ensuring that most of the subject is fully illuminated. Since the projection direction of the frontal light is directly facing the subject, the shadow of the light falls on the back of the object, and there is no obvious boundary between the light and dark of the subject, and the picture reveals a bright and quiet visual experience.
Front side light that expresses three-dimensionality and texture
As the name suggests, front side light refers to the light shining from the front side of the subject. In the written definition, it is also called side light, because the direction of its light projection forms an angle of about with the subject and the camera lens.
Front side light can make the subject produce rich tones, bring a certain three-dimensional sense to the picture, and clearly show the texture of the surface of the object, restore the color of the whole picture, and is very suitable for shooting outdoor scenery, urban architecture and environmental portraits.
Side light that highlights the light and dark structure
Side light is the light that shines from one side of the subject. Since the side of the subject facing the light is in strong light, every detail is highlighted, while the backlit side is buried in darkness, and the shadow is deep and strong. Therefore, this light is sometimes called "structured light".
Since side light will form obvious light and dark areas, the illuminated surface, backlit surface and shadow part can make the subject have a strong three-dimensional sense, and also make the picture have a certain sense of direction. It is very suitable for shooting scenery and architecture. And this kind of light can produce a "yin and yang face" on the character, which is more suitable for expressing the tough character of men.
Side backlighting is light coming from the side and rear of the subject, which forms an angle of approximately with the lens optical axis. At this time, a small part of the front of the subject is illuminated, and the shadow side occupies most of the subject, so the tone appears heavier. However, side backlighting can well show the three-dimensional contour of the subject and the strong air perspective effect, making the tone and layering of the picture richer.
Using side backlighting to shoot scenery can create a clear light ratio between the subject and the background, so that the subject is highlighted. Especially for some subjects with translucent shapes, side backlighting makes them appear more transparent and bright. When using side backlighting to shoot people, if you want to ensure accurate exposure of the front of the person, you need to add appropriate fill light.
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