Lighting Types in Photography

Learn about each type of light, its characteristics, and how they can be used to achieve specific effects.

What are lighting types in photography?

The types of light you use can significantly affect the mood, texture, and impact of your image. By understanding the different types of light such as hard light, soft light, ambient light, and more - you can gain more control over your atmosphere and the mood you want to convey through your images.

Each type of light serves a different purpose and each offers its own unique advantages and disadvantages, depending on the desired outcome of your photos.

Mannequin head on chair with hard light on its face. — Hard light example

Mannequin head on chair with soft light on its face. — Hard light example