Light plays an important role in life and also in photography.
Without it, your images will be dark and lifeless.
As such, it is a vital factor in achieving great photos.
Many of you may not be aware that the word photography is actually taken from a Greek term that literally refers to light writing.
With light, any owner of a digital camera is able to create various moods in his images.
Photography is actually dependent on light.
How this particular aspect is used can make or break a photo.
Although there's really no standard formula on how to use light when taking pictures, there are just the basics on what to do when shooting photos.
For instance, always avoid taking photos of your subjects with light behind them or what they refer to as backlighted.
Doing this will make your subject appear dark unless of course if you want to achieve a dramatic effect on your photos.
The best thing to do then is to take photos with your subjects facing a source of light so the resulting image is clear.
Another thing you need to avoid is taking photos of metal or glass directly.
Doing so will cause a reflection of the flash or the so-called flare.
What you have to do then to achieve a clear image is to aim your digital camera's flash at a 45-degree angle to the metal's surface.
Do understand, however, that it is not wrong if your photo shows a flare.
It is absolutely fine to have this particularly if you're after a certain effect on your images.
In terms of the kind of light to use, keep in mind that softer light will create lesser shadows.
On the other hand, direct light results in more shadows which is very ideal if you want to create drama in your images.
Depending on the type of image you want to achieve, the first important thing that you have to take into account is the kind of light to use.
For portraits, using soft light is strongly recommended.
This type of light can be created by bouncing it off using a backdrop or ceiling.
If you're shooting outdoors, soft light is possible when you shoot early in the morning or early in the evening.
You can also position your subject in a shaded area and use the so-called fill flash.
For indoor shooting, you can either use candles or cover your flash using a sheer fabric.
With regards to the sun, you can also create various effects.
Shooting images with sunlight at your back is a good rule of thumb.
It's a great way to take clear pictures of different subjects you like.
If you want to achieve a silhouette in your subject, you can shoot into the sun.
This is perfect when taking photos of landscapes.
Remember that you can always play with light so don't be afraid to experiment with it.
Get to know it better and you're on your way to improving your photography skills.