The direction of the light is significant as it determines where shades fall. The shadows are what create depth in a photo, and if the direction isn’t just right, you ought to either move the subject to change the direction of the light or wait for the light to move. The direction of the light can either bring out the details in your subject or hide them. Light can hit a subject in four distinct directions.
- Side lighting. If the lights hit an object from a side, the shadows that are created emphasize the form and texture of the subject.
- Overhead lighting. If the only light source is from directly overhead, as might be the case with photographing a scenery, the subject may have very little character due to the lack of shadows. The majority of studio shoots will have a dedicated overhead light, but it is used in combination with other light sources so as to help create pleasing shadows.
- Backlighting. Although it can create some of the most dramatic photos, backlighting is one of the trickiest forms of lighting. Metering grows more difficult when the scene is lit with a bright light directly behind the subject, and capturing the details in the lightest and darkest areas is not possible. A nice example of backlighting is the classic silhouette, where your subject appears as a black shape against a bright background. Sunsets are a great time to take backlit photos.
- Front lighting. Front lighting is one of the most commonly used forms of lighting and one of the most unflattering. The front lighting tends to remove all shadows from the subject, which creates dull, flat images, such as in your official documents. You should change your position so that the light strikes the subject at a slightly different angle if the light is directly behind you and hitting the subject straight on. This will help create longer shades and a feeling of depth in your photos.
Have a look at other articles describing the influence of lighting conditions on photography:
The Color of Light, The Diffusion of Light, Light types, The Intensity of Light,