Photography is the art of painting with the shadow of light. Photographers are connected with both the quality and the quantity of light to make photographs. The amount of light decides exposure précised by a metering system. Other surfaces of light are color or temperature, contrast and direction. The expressive use of light can give result in a striking and powerful image in Virginia.

Types of Light

• Photographers are familiar with four different types of light: direct or natural light, diffused light, reflected light and artificial light, as well as flash. These types of light have many other elements, such as color and temperature of light as well as the effect on a subject from the direction of light.

Natural outdoor light is produced from a radiant source. Natural light comes from one source that casts a single set of shadows and it produces photographs that appear natural.

Diffused light passes through a diffuser before striking its subject and is less contra sty than direct light and casts less distinct shadows. These are qualities which are desired for portrait photography.

Reflected light hits like a reflector and is then directed to the subject. It is less contra sty than diffused light and can be without shadow. Outdoor light in open shade on a sunny day is light reflected by a blue sky.

Artificial light is the use of lighting sources replacement of natural light to illumine the subject. Several light sources can be combined in it. It will deliver the enough amount of light that the photographer desires based on the quantity or output of the type of bulb used.

Light Direction

• The angle of lighting can give emphasis to texture and detail it. It can define the form or destroy of the scene. It can show a bright mood or a serious one.
• Top light is the light striking from directly above that compress the scene. It is the least photogenic form of enlightenment.
• Front light occurs with the light of source behind the photographer and illuminates the subject head-on. It is useful when good color performance is desired but it creates no shadows, even out detail and can create glare.
• Side light hits the subject from one side or the other but rather than the front side or the back side. It brings out shape and texture, creates depth and is measured the best angle for usual photography.
• Back light lights up the subject from the back and is the most contra sty form of the light. It creates bright highlights and separates foreground from background clearly. It is used for outdoor portraits to reduce the emphasis of a confusing background and to create sparkle on water and for lively dramatic effects.
• There are five different types of color hues of light: white, yellowish, reddish, bluish and greenish.

Color of Light

White light is light from the sun or light reflected from a clear blue sky with a few clouds during the daylight hours when the sun is well above the horizon. Yellowish light is found during the early morning and late afternoon during sunny day. Then a warm or golden color is reflected. Reddish light is found at sunrise and sunset and it can be made use of to produce striking pictures. Bluish light is the light of open shade which produced on a sunny day when the sky is blue. Greenish light is found in wooded areas, under trees, where the light is filtered by green leaves.