Medium | LIGHT — CHPT. 1,2,3

Overall Image

This picture shows reflection in the smooth water of the boats. The light is overcast, but the photo is well lit, while still capturing the general mood of the grey, rainy day.

There are many elements that a photographer must incorporate in order to create a visually interesting image with good information. Light and lighting is essential for ensuring that the picture is clear, impactful and well lit. Photographers need to consider how light will interact with their subject in terms of color, contrast and brightness. Reflection and distortion of light are also very important factors to consider when trying to make the best image possible.

Chapter 1 Summary

A photo I took using several lamps for artificial lighting on a mirror (reflective surface) that also reflected the light.

Lighting is a very important aspect of photography. The book refers to it as the “language of photography.” Lighting may require the right tools such as artificial lights or other light sources in addition to natural light. Three important principles of lighting are the size of the light source, types of reflections and family of angles. Lighting can be used to fundamentally change an image and to transform it into something different and unexpected. It is up to the photographer (not their equipment) to use light effectively.

Chapter 2 Summary

This is a picture of a spider taken through glass. There is a bright flash (camera flash) of light and also the reflection of the numbers around the camera lens in the right corner.

Light is a fundamental element of photography. The book explains that “Photography begins the moment light is emitted from a source.” Photography is the manipulation of light in visually interesting ways. Light is a type of energy that is produced by photons creating an electromagnetic field. Cameras are used to capture this energy and some modern cameras are capable of capturing light that even the human eye can’t perceive. Brightness, color and contrast are all very important when discussing light and lighting. These elements deal with how the light source appears and how it interacts with the subjects of the photograph. Lighting is different that “light” itself. Lighting deals with shadows and highlights which are the dark and light areas of a picture. The subject impacts how light is perceived and changes the appearance of light within an image. Light can be transmitted through a subject. It can be diffused through the subject if the subject distorts the light. Light can also be absorbed or reflected by the subject.

Chapter 3 Summary

A direct reflection of me and the wall behind me in the glass of the oven.

Photographic lighting requires reflection management. It is important to consider whether or not the subject reflects, absorbs or transmits light. Light can reflect as diffuse reflection, direct reflection or glare. In diffuse reflection light is reflected back from the subject at an angle. Direct reflection is also sometimes referred to as specular reflection. The inverse square law explains that intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance. This means that as the closer the light source is to the subject the brighter the reflection. Direct reflections are a mirror image of the light source creating them. The infinite number of points where a light source can be positioned in relation to the subject are known as the family of angles. Polarized direct reflection is similar to direct reflection, but notably a polarized direct reflection is half as bright as an unpolarized one. It is up to the photographer to use the correct techniques and equipment to produce the best image possible. They must be able to find the correct light source or create it.