Everything you need to know about photographting without natural light

Light plays an important role in photography. The light illuminates the objects and the scene, as well as set the mood and theme of the picture. Mastering natural light for your photographs can be the difference between a mediocre picture and a master piece.

But Natural light is not always available. In that case you have have to use acritical light sources. Think of photography at night or indoors. Let’s look at some tips regarding the use of artificial light for photography.

 1.  Setting the Mood
Always use a light source that matches the mood of your image. Different light sources produce different color temperatures and can create different moods in your images. 

​For example, a warm light source such as a tungsten bulb can create a cozy and intimate feeling, while a cooler light source such as a fluorescent bulb can create a more clinical and sterile feeling.

 2.  Giving Direction
Direction is one of the most important aspect in both natural and artificial lighting. Understanding how to use direction to your advantage can really up your photography skills. 
 
Artificial light can be manipulated to create different lighting effects. You can use a softbox or umbrella to diffuse the light and create soft, even lighting or use a directional light source to create dramatic shadows and highlights.

​You can also use combination of multiple light sources to balance your picture out. For example you can use multiple light sources to balance out unwanted color casts or shadows from overhead lamps etc.

 3.   Practice makes perfect
Learning how to use artificial light to set your scene takes time to learn and master. The best way to learn is by trying out different things yourself. 

​It is important to practice and experiment to find different lighting setups that works best for you and the mood you want to communicate in your images.

When selecting your dive location make sure that it is easily accessible and has good visibility. The last thing you want is your image to be a poorly lit mess.

You can edit your underwater photographs on the Urban Jungle Photo Editor. Available on the Apple App Store.

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