Side Lighting Blog
I have leant how to use side and front lighting in photography. Front and side lighting are used to show off the subject of the photo and give photographs the best effect. Front lighting is light that is in front of the objects e.g. a person, it lights up the whole face from the front causing no shadows. Side-lighting however is light sourced from the side of a face which usually lights up half of the face causing shadows on the other half.
Side lighting can have many connotations, depending on the meaning of the photo. Some portraits are made to look sexy and have a sense of mystery whereas side lighting can give a sense of innocence and loneliness especially of children.
Side lighting can accentuate male features as the harsh lighting hits the jaw line and cheek bone which reflects men’s beauty. The fact that only half the face is lit connotates strength, power and masculinity. On the other hand front lighting captures women’s beauty and enhances and softens their features. As the whole face is lit no harshness is added to the photo caused by shadows, front lighting makes the face seem soft and full with a sense of calmness and beauty.
I will benefit from learning the skills of side and front lighting when I reach unit 3 as I will need to take my own photograph for my topic global warming. Now I know what lighting connotates different moods and feelings I know what lighting to give to different photos. For example if I were to take photos of animals that are affected by global warming i would use side lighting to connotate the innocence and helplessness of the animal.
I enjoyed taking photos using side lighting in the park however it was tricky trying to position models in the right positions to get the light of the sun to reflect off their faces and even harder to get the models to face the sun with their entire face, as it was quite bright. The landscape photo of side lighting worked well and is my favourite photo. Whereas the front light photos aren’t as good because the models found it hard to pose when the light was so bright in their eyes.
Front Lighting:
Side Lighting:
