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There is more to getting the perfect shot than just the subject, scenery, and timing. A major contributor to a photograph is the lighting that is utilized, it can change everything about the photograph. Getting the perfect lighting for photography is more difficult than you would think, and best accomplished by a professional.

When pictures were first created it was a pain for the people having the picture taken as well as the person taking them. The results were solely dependent upon the light being correct, or the results would be a blurry, indistinguishable blob. This meant that people would have to hold the same pose for extended periods of time while the exposure was completed to the film.

Today’s cameras have film which is much more sensitive and mechanisms to help the photographer achieve better results. With the use of a camera’s light meter, the shutter speed, film speed, aperture settings and other factors can be adjusted to create a sublime photo. The results of any picture are very strongly linked to how the light is used during the photography session.

An automatic light meter is excellent for most situations. However, there are occasions in which this must be overridden to get the desired exposure results on the film. If a subject is darker than the background, the meter will not be able to properly account for it, or if the sun is shining and the subject is hidden in shadow, and snow is always confusing for the automatic adjustment. In these cases, it will be necessary overexpose the film. There are also situations that the film will need to be underexposed, such as the subject being lighter than the background, the desired result is a silhouette, or a day with overcast skies.

The spectrum shows us that light has color, but it also has more of a life than that. In photography, the color that light provides is called color temperature, and may be naked to the human eye. Color temperatures make a difference on the film due to its sensitivity.

The weather, the time of day, shading, even a light bulb will add its own hues to a photo. Consider the colors of morning and evening lighting, these are warm hues; midday lighting is blue. These little tints make a big impact on the final photograph results.

The distance of the light source also plays a crucial role in how the photo is developed. A light that is narrow and farther away will produce a hard strong appearance, while a light that is broad and close will soften the surroundings. The placement can make the difference in creating the most flattering photo possible.

Lighting for photography is an art in itself. There are many intricate nuances to the use of light in photos. Whether using a natural source or artificial light set, the placement and type of light can make a huge impact on the final product.

Parker Michaels is a new media consultant and freelance photographer. For more information on lighting for photography, visit www.photo-junkie.com.