Light and Shadows in Photographs

In the flat image of a photograph, light and shadows can have as much visual weight as any object in the composition. Additionally, there are many different qualities of light.

Shadows
Light Defines Objects
Light as Focal Point
Backlighting
Qualities of Light
Light and Visual Weight

QUALITIES OF LIGHT

Diffused light is soft and fuzzy.

Gayle Brooker

Tierney Gearon

Harsh light is sharp and contrasty.

Ralph Gibson

Julia Margaret Cameron

Light can spill through windows and doorways.

Claudio Cambon

Carolyn Drake

Emmet Gowin

Sabastiao Salgado

Light can create a mood or emotion.

Gayle Brooker

Brassai

Elliott Erwitt

Next: Light and Visual Weight