essential skills: photographic lighting
Quality
Light from a point light source such as an open flash or the sun is described as having a ‘hard
quality’. The directional shadows created by this type of light are dark with well- defined
edges. The shadows created by the sun are dark but not totally devoid of illumination. This
illumination is provided by reflected skylight. The earth’s atmosphere scatters some of the
shorter blue Wavelengths of light and provides an umbrella of low-level light. Artificial point
light sources create a much harsher light when used at night or away from the softening effects
of skylight. The light from a point light source can also be diffused, spread or reflected off
larger surface areas. Directional light maintains its ‘hard quality’ when reflected off a mirror
surface but is scattered in different directions when reflected off a matte surface. This lowers the
harshness of the light and the shadows now receive proportionally more light when compared
to the highlights. The light is said to have a softer quality. The shadows are less dark (detail can
be seen in them) and the edges are no longer clearly defined.
The smaller the light source, the harder the light aยpears.
The larger the light source, the softer the light appears.
The control over quality of light is an essential skill when on location. Often the photographer
will encounter scenes where the quality of the available light‘ creates enormous difficulties for
the latitude of the image sensor. The photographer must learn techniques to alter the quality
of light or risk loss of detail and information. The quality of light, whether hard or soft, can be
changed by diffusion and reflection.