How light effects Images
Contrast
Lightening and Darkening an image can express different feelings. Lighter light can express peace, happiness, and joy. Darker light can express horror, dark energy, and sadness.
Direction
Moving the light above or below a subject can express how comfortable the subject is and bring out the contrast. Using the light above is best for a more natural feel. Using a lower light will give a horror-like sense.
Color
Color usage in a photo can bring out the emotion presented within a photograph. Different colors represent different emotions. EX. Red = Anger; Blue = Sadness; Yellow = Joy
Light Position
Light can be positioned in front, side, and in the back; each setting a different tone. When using any of these positions, harsh shadows need to be watched to prevent abnormal looks.
-Front position brings out the details of the subject by losing the shadows that would typically conceal details. This could cause a photo to appear plain.
-Back position can cause a subject to have a halo effect and form a silhouette. May cause over-exposure.
-Side position will create a nice contrast that will cause interest in the photo. It will add enough shadows to show interest in the subject photo.
Angle of Incidence
Using Angle of Incidence helps photographers reflect light into the subject. This is how light is bounced off an object at the same angle it is reflecting into it. Also called Ray of Light. When photographing, it is important to notice how the light gets reflected into the camera.
LIght and Dark
Hard and soft light. Hard light creates harsh shadows but better contrast. Soft light gives the shadows a subtle transition to the light.
Large light sources create soft light; smaller light source creates harsh light. You can diffuse the light by A. moving the light or subject or B. diffusing it by bouncing the light source off a white-balance surface into the subject.
Color Temperature
The Kevin scale is what is used for white balance in a photograph. White balance is when the white tint in real life is reflected in the photograph.
Light comes in colors that vary from orange to incandescent. (Kevin Scale: 7500k is shade; 5500k is daylight; 2500k is sunset.)
Conclusion
Noticing how light is reflected onto the object and into the camera can create emotion in the viewer. To light up an object a certain way, the shadows need to be observed to change how it bring life onto a subject. The subject needs to be lit up with small contrast to show shape.