The document describes six qualities of light: direction, diffuse, specular, color, contrast, and brightness. The qualities are categorized as either "formative" - direction, diffuse, and specular, which are difficult to change in post-production, or "comparative" - color, contrast, and brightness, which are relatively easy to change in post-production. Each quality is then defined in more detail.

2. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)
These qualities are very difficult to These qualities are relatively easy
change in post production, either in to change in post production, either
Photoshop or the traditional in Photoshop or the traditional
darkroom darkroom

3. Six Qualities of Light
Formative
1) Direction
2) Diffuse
3) Specular
These qualities are very difficult to
change in post production, either in
Photoshop or the traditional
darkroom

4. Six Qualities of Light
Direction
The position of the main
light is described by its
location relative to the
camera. For example, this
light is?
- On Camera
- 30 Degrees Camera Right
- 90 Degrees Camera Left
- 135 Degrees Camera Right

5. Six Qualities of Light
Direction
The position of the main
light is described by its
location relative to the
camera. For example, this
light is?
- On Camera
- 30 Degrees Camera Right
- 90 Degrees Camera Left
- 135 Degrees Camera Right

6. Direction
1) Influences our
perception of form &
volume
The shadows developed by side
lighting create the perception of
shape and volume. This is called
directional lighting.

7. Direction
1) Influences our
perception of form &
volume
The lack of shadows created by
lighting from near the camera
position minimizes impression of
shape and volume. This is called
“flat” or non-directional lighting.

8. Direction
1) Influences our
perception of shape &
volume
2) Influences our
perception of texture

9. Direction
1) Influences our
perception of shape &
volume
2) Influences our
perception of texture
3) Influences our
perception of drama

10. Six Qualities of Light
Diffuse
A light is “diffuse” when
the transition between
highlight and shadow (the
shadow transfer area) is
soft or indistinct.
In general, diffuse lights
are large in relation to the
subject. This is a function
of both size and the light
to subject distance.

11. Six Qualities of Light
Specular
A light is “specular” when
the transition between
highlight and shadow (the
shadow transfer area) is
hard or distinct.
In general, specular lights
create hard shadows and are
used to emphasize texture.
Specular lights are small in
virtual relationship to the
object they are illuminating..

12. Six Qualities of Light
Comparative
4) Color
5) Contrast
6) Brightness (key)
These qualities are relatively easy
to change in post production, either
in Photoshop or the traditional
darkroom

13. Six Qualities of Light
Color
Color is used to evoke
emotion. Warm Colors
create tranquil, pleasant
moods. Cool colors
generate more distant,
uneasy feelings.
Color pallets change.
Alert photographers
watch for shifting
trends.

14. Six Qualities of Light
Color
Color is used to evoke
emotion. Warm Colors
create tranquil, pleasant
moods. Cool colors
generate more distant,
uneasy feelings.
Color pallets change.
Alert photographers
watch for shifting
trends.

15. Six Qualities of Light
Contrast
This refers to the
difference between the
highlights and the
shadows in an image.
This difference is known
as the contrast ratio.
The contrast ratio is
measured in stops.

16. Six Qualities of Light
Brightness (Key)
The intensity of light
reflecting from a
surface or radiating
from a source.
Brightness is measured
in Lumens.
The term “key” is used
to describe the
brightness of an image.

17. Six Qualities of Light
Brightness (Key)
Low Key: a predominance
of dark tones due to
either the tonality of
the subject or the
exposure of value or a
combination of the two.

18. Six Qualities of Light
Brightness (Key)
Normal Key: a broad
tonal range or the tones
are compressed around
the mid-tones.
The overall key can be
attributed to either the
tonality of the subject,
the exposure of value or
a combination of the two.

19. Six Qualities of Light
Brightness (Key)
High Key: a
predominance of light
tones due to either the
tonality of the subject,
the exposure of value or
a combination of the two.

20. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative

21. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)

22. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)

23. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)

24. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)

25. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)

26. Six Qualities of Light
Formative Comparative
1) Direction 4) Color
2) Diffuse 5) Contrast
3) Specular 6) Brightness (Key)
These qualities are very difficult to These qualities are relatively easy
change in post production, either in to change in post production, either
Photoshop or the traditional in Photoshop or the traditional
darkroom darkroom

27. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

28. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Neutral
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:1
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Low
8) Subject Key: High

29. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

30. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 20 degrees Camera Left
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Neutral
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:2
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Low
8) Subject Key: Normal

31. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

32. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 45 degrees Camera Left
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Cool
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:16+
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Low
7) Subject Contrast: High
8) Subject Key: Low

33. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

34. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Cool
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:1
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: High
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Normal

35. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

36. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Cool
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:1
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Low
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Normal

37. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

38. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 135 degree Camera Left
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Warm
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:5
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Low
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Normal

39. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

40. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Neutral to Warm
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:1
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Normal

41. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

42. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 75 degree Camera Right
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Neutral to Warm
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:16+
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Low

43. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

44. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Cool
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:1
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: High

45. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

46. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 90 degree Camera Right
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Neutral
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:5
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: High

47. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

48. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: Non Directional
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Cool
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:2
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal/Hi
7) Subject Contrast: Normal
8) Subject Key: Normal

49. Qualities of Light
1) Direction:
2) Diffuse Light:
3) Specular Light:
4) Color:
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio):
6) Lighting/Exposure Key:
7) Subject Contrast:
8) Subject Key:

50. Qualities of Light
1) Direction: 75 degree Camera Right
2) Diffuse Light: Yes
3) Specular Light: No
4) Color: Warm
5) Lighting Contrast (Ratio): 1:8
6) Lighting/Exposure Key: Normal
7) Subject Contrast: High
8) Subject Key: Normal