See, now that phones have gotten smarter than ever before, it’s possible to adjust the lighting in post-processing on the go. Even with all the editing magic available in your pocket, lighting has still remained one of the fundamental elements of photography. Let alone mobile photography. The very first thing that you need to remember before taking photos is to have good lighting. Different lighting conditions in the environment can change your photo drastically and elevate a normal shot to a whole new level. In another article, we will talk about how different lighting scenarios in the environment can make your photo look wonderful. For now, we will be focusing on the importance of good lighting and why you should always look out for it.
Better details
Details are one of the key factors of a good photo. While capturing highly detailed photos is dependent on good hardware, the hardware itself cannot function properly in poor lighting conditions. So, to take out the best of your camera’s hardware, a good lighting condition is necessary. Detailed photos are easy to crop in and help you achieve the perfect frame you want.
Excellent colors
A well-lit photo brings out the actual colors you see through the camera. Color composition is a major element in photography and is responsible for either a ruined or an eye-pleasing photo. We will also discuss this in another article. For now, do know that a perfect lighting condition can bring out all the colors hidden inside the frame. So next time you find a perfect landscape in the evening, it’s better to wait for the next morning to get the colorful shot you desire!
Enhances zoom
Better light means better visibility. Smartphone cameras are being equipped with telephoto lenses nowadays. This gives them optical zooming capability, that doesn’t compromise the resolution. But in a poor lighting condition, it’s hard to capture the object a bit far away. Perfect lighting always provides an advantage to those who like to zoom by ensuring better visibility. Keep an eye out for the sun when you are out clicking bird photos!
Clean look
A phone incapable of taking good low-light photos will have more noise in the shots. It can easily be avoided in a perfectly lit condition. A photo with good lighting is clearer, sharper, has less noise, and is more detailed. So, to have the clearest and best quality photo, a properly lit environment is a must! Remember, noisy and blurry photos never catch the attention. No matter how good the framing, composition, or editing is.
Shadow and light balance
Let’s just face it, dark shadow areas are photo killers! There may be countless times when you have taken a shot just to see that it’s too dark in some parts, which completely ruins the picture. So, wait for the sun. Balanced lighting ensures you a perfect balance between shadowy and exposed areas. It retains the details in the shadows by not making it too dark to ruin the picture, while also exposing the subject properly. Remember, shadows are important, but a noisy and dark shadow is not what you want.
Less editing
Editing pictures can be both fun and a pain for some. A well-lit picture requires less editing. As there is enough light, the picture is sharp, well-detailed, vibrant, perfectly exposed, and less noisy. Meeting these criteria is one of the purposes of editing an image. So, when a photo is ready to post on social media right after the click, it requires little to no editing. A thing to keep in mind, especially for those who avoid editing.
Better night shots
Night mode in smartphone cameras is getting more capable day by day, as it requires less light than ever before to take amazing shots. we will discuss it in the future. Yet for a perfect night shot, lighting is essential. Better light means a less noisy and overall clear night mode shot. Next time when you are out in the streets, taking night shots–look for a brighter place that lights up your subject well enough.
Clear focus
The camera is like the human eye. It cannot focus on the dark. Adequate lighting helps the autofocus on your phone to work efficiently, allowing sharper images. Nobody likes a blurry image, right?
Now that we have discussed the pros of good lighting, you should have a clear idea why it is so important to have adequate lighting while taking photos. But there are some DONTS about lighting as well, that we have already written about.
Sometimes you might not get good lighting, things don’t line up perfectly every time. Those are the times when you have to rely heavily on your phone’s hardware capability and take the help of editing after that to get the perfect shot you want. Nonetheless, as an amateur photographer, lighting should be your number one priority. You can get a stunning shot even with a cheaper, less capable phone camera if you have the perfect lighting. So, may the light be there by your side, happy shooting!