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There are many elements that go into the creation of a successful image, whether working with traditional film or taking advantage of advances in modern digital film technology. Though a thorough understanding and knowledge of each of these components can lead towards truly excellent results, one of the most prominent and poorly implemented elements of photography is the use of light. While a great number of specific topics exist within this subcategory of photography, the rivalry between soft light and hard light has established a solid significance in the majority of applications. Website designers might sometimes disregard the use of soft or hard light in an image when working on website design, secure in the knowledge that they can always manipulate the result digitally with an editing program. But experienced photographers and web design experts alike know that good lighting is essential in the original, and can serve as the basis for the entire atmosphere of an image –in turn, the atmosphere of a page. This is especially true for a portrait photographer.

Soft light is often used for portraits, as well as for products and scenes that portray glamorous or “comfortable” elements; beauty items or a snuggly sweater tend to be associated with soft light, as do scenes involving several human subjects or background elements that shouldn’t be a part of the focus on an image. Hard light, on the other hand, is preferred for images that want to achieve a high degree of contrast. This kind of light can be great for pictures with the need for a lot of impact, whether it’s an individual subject or something broader, such as a panoramic view of Austin Texas at dusk. Of course, lighting Austin TX might seem like a particularly ambitious task, but knowledge of the elements that lead to soft and hard light can make such feats possible.

In general, soft light is achieved through the use of white; it can be used as a background either in a soft white wall or piece of paper, a reflector that boosts white light placed under the subject, or a white diffuser placed between the subject and the camera. These elements will create a more subtle contrast, and lend a glowing, almost supernatural feel to photographs. Hard light is typically accomplished by opposite means; a background of black, which results in a high degree of contrast, is a great starting point for portraits and many other kinds of hard light shots. For landscapes, dark skies and limited light exposure can help create this clear and “gritty” look. Placing a small, intense light source directly on or near the subject is a sure bet for getting a great hard light result.

Any Austin SEO expert with a mind to succeed at search engine optimization wouldn’t work without an understanding of keywords, and no photographer or web designer creating their own images can reach their full potential without knowledge of the merits of different kinds of light. While it can take some practice to master, these lighting techniques are ultimately very rewarding.

For great website design in Austin, TX visit:

NuArtisan
7000 N Mo Pac Expy Ste 200
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 712-5359