Photographic lighting is the illumination of scenes to be photographed. A photograph simply records patterns of light, colour, and shade; lighting is all-important in controlling the image. In many cases even illumination is desired to give an accurate rendition of the scene.

Hardness or softness of the light: Hard light (direct light) produces vivid colors that stand out, and it creates harsh shadows. Soft light (diffused light) produces more pastel tones and softens details.

Photography lighting plays a major role in capturing colors as well as in revealing form and texture in an image. Examining daylight is a great way to understand certain characteristics of light: the hardness or the softness of the source, direction of light, and visible colors.

Direction of light: Moving the light source around a subject or object either adds or takes away detail.