How can you troubleshoot common lighting problems?

1 Insufficient light

One of the most obvious lighting problems is not having enough light to illuminate your subject and your scene. This can result in grainy, blurry, or dark images that lack detail and contrast. To fix this problem, you need to either increase the amount of light or adjust the camera settings to capture more light. You can increase the light by adding more sources, such as lamps, reflectors, or flashes, or by moving closer to the existing sources, such as windows or overhead lights. You can also adjust the camera settings by increasing the ISO, aperture, or exposure, but be careful not to introduce too much noise, overexposure, or depth of field issues.

2 Harsh shadows

Another common lighting problem is having too much light or too direct light that creates harsh shadows on your subject or your background. This can make your images look flat, unflattering, or unrealistic. To fix this problem, you need to either reduce the amount of light or diffuse the light to create softer shadows. You can reduce the light by using dimmers, filters, or curtains, or by moving away from the light sources. You can also diffuse the light by using umbrellas, softboxes, or bounce cards, or by reflecting the light off a white or neutral surface.

4 Glare and reflections

A fourth common lighting problem is having glare and reflections in your images that can distract from your subject or ruin your composition. Glare and reflections are caused by light bouncing off shiny or smooth surfaces, such as glass, metal, or water. They can create unwanted highlights, flares, or ghosting that can affect the exposure and contrast of your images. To fix this problem, you need to either avoid or control the glare and reflections. You can avoid them by changing the angle or position of the light sources, the camera, or the subject, or by choosing a different location or background. You can also control them by using polarizing filters, lens hoods, or matte finishes to reduce or eliminate the reflections.

5 Uneven lighting

A fifth common lighting problem is having uneven lighting in your scene that can create a lack of balance or harmony in your images. Uneven lighting can be caused by having too many or too few light sources, or by having them placed too close or too far from your subject or your background. This can create a contrast or a gradient that can be too dramatic or too subtle for your desired effect. To fix this problem, you need to either even out or enhance the lighting. You can even out the lighting by using fill lights, rim lights, or background lights to fill in the shadows, highlight the edges, or separate the subject from the background. You can also enhance the lighting by using flags, barn doors, or grids to shape or direct the light to create a more interesting or dramatic effect.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?