Pay Attention To Light In Your Images

January 28, 2009 by Lee Hammaker

The subject is important when starting anything creative; I know you heard me mention that once. Once you’ve decided on your subject you need to figure out how to light the subject (this has mostly to do with painting and photography and not basket weaving).

Even when making a digital painting you need to consider where the lights are and how it effects the subject. If you draw an oval, a square and a triangle you have what is known as a technical drawing. Because the objects are only two-dimensional there isn’t much fun in viewing the image.

But determine that a light source is in the upper left hand corner of the page or canvas and you have an egg a cube and a pyramid.

Of course you don’t have to have a light at the upper left hand corner of the canvas, it can be anywhere pointing in any direction, this determines what the painting or photograph will ultimately look like (this all needs to be figured out beforehand though.)

Thus when painting or taking a photograph of a person you need to select the right lighting that will create the right effect; so you can view your subject in the best possible light (unless you want to insult your subject). You also need secondary lights for “shading” your subject. This can help determine the overall mood of the painting or photo.

In photography out in the field the lighting is determined for you, all you do is choose the right exposure and shutter speeds and the best side. This creates a better overall picture of your subject.

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Lee Hammaker has a passion for graphic arts and has been involved in computer graphics for over 15 years. Although he does it mostly for personal satisfaction he does contract out to businesses and organizations through GoFreelance. He has a new website where he is selling some of his unique designs on clothing at Half Infinity Productions. His artwork has appeared on various websites.