Lighting & Natural Light Photography
By the end of this lesson, you will:
- Understand the role of light in photography.
- Learn the differences between hard light and soft light.
- Experiment with natural light at different times and angles.
Scripture
- John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Light is essential for both physical and spiritual vision.
Course Content
Review Last Week
- Have students share one composition photo from homework.
- Discuss how light helped or hurt the photo’s overall look.
Understanding Light in Photography
- Quality of Light:
- Hard Light: Direct sunlight, sharp shadows, high contrast.
- Soft Light: Overcast sky, shade, diffused light, gentle shadows.
- Direction of Light:
- Front Lighting: Light hits subject directly — even lighting, less depth.
- Side Lighting: Light from the side — more texture and drama.
- Backlighting: Light from behind — can create silhouettes or glow.
Hands-On Practice
Activity: “Light Walk”
- Go outside and find three lighting situations:
- Full sunlight (hard light)
- Shade (soft light)
- Backlit area (light behind the subject)
- In pairs, take portraits or object shots in each light type.
If possible, use a reflector (or white board) to bounce light onto the subject’s face in shaded or backlit areas.
Homework
-
- Assignment: Take 5 photos this week in different lighting conditions. Try at least:
- 1 in hard sunlight
- 1 in shade
- 1 with side lighting
- 1 with backlighting (try a silhouette)