In most cases we can make use of natural or available / ambient light…but we must be aware of different kinds of natural light and learn how to exploit it thoughtfully and creatively.

uses of:

• intensity of the light – creates brighter exposures and means that the shadows will be harder.
• direction of the light – changing light direction will define the direction of the shadows, as well as create different moods and adds depth to the picture.
• temperature of the light and white balance – makes an image warmer (orange) or cooler (blue) to convey different atmosphere.
• Using reflectors (silver / gold) – redirects existing light to help the photographer manipulate light.
• Using diffusers , tissue paper, colored gels, tracing paper etc – determines the intensity of light in your image as well as the intensity of the shadows.
• Front / side / back lighting – frontal lighting will illuminate everything in your image, side lighting means that only one side of your image will be illuminated (this adds atmosphere and depth to the picture), back lighting can be used to make a subject a silhouette as your subject will be obscuring the light.
• High Key / low key lighting – high key lighting has a low contrast, very few shadows, high exposure and soft front light. Low key lighting uses high contrast, hard and direct lighting,
• Shadows / silhouettes – to show depth or create an atmosphere within the image.