When we take a photo, we're not just capturing what we see—we're also capturing how light touches the scene. Light and shadow aren't just technical things in photography.

They're the tools we use to tell a story, set a mood, and create an artistic feel. Let's explore together how we can use light and shadow in simple ways to make our photos stand out.

Understanding Natural Light First

Most of us don't carry fancy lighting gear, and that's totally okay. Natural light—from the sun, windows, or even reflections—can do wonders. Morning and evening light, often called the “golden hour,” is soft and warm. It gives everything a dreamy, cozy feeling. On the other hand, strong midday sunlight casts harsh shadows and makes colors pop. Learning to work with different times of the day helps us decide when to shoot what.

Using Shadows to Add Drama

Shadows aren't just the “dark part” of a photo. They add mystery, depth, and shape. Imagine a portrait where half the face is in shadow—that instantly feels more dramatic and emotional. Or think of a tree's shadow falling across a path, creating interesting patterns. When we pay attention to where shadows fall, we can turn even a simple scene into something eye-catching and full of emotion.

Side Light, Backlight, Front Light—What's the Difference?

Where the light hits the subject changes everything. Side light, like from a window at an angle, gives our photo texture and dimension—it's perfect for portraits or food photos. Backlight, where the light comes from behind the subject, creates a glowing outline or “halo” effect, great for nature shots or soft portraits. Front light, which comes straight at the subject, flattens things out and reduces texture. Each style has its own charm—we just need to pick what works best for the mood we want.

Using Shadows to Guide the Eye

In photography, we're always trying to guide the viewer's eyes to the most important part of the picture. Shadows help us do that. By creating contrast—light in one area and dark in another—we pull attention where we want it. For example, a bright subject surrounded by shadows stands out more, almost like it's glowing. That's a great trick when we want to highlight a face, an object, or a moment.

Playing with Artificial Light

Don't worry if there's not enough natural light—we can always get creative. A simple desk lamp, fairy lights, or even the flashlight on a phone can help us shape shadows. Want a moody indoor portrait? Try placing a lamp to the side of your subject. Want a soft product photo? Use a curtain or a white T-shirt to soften harsh light. We don't need fancy lights—just a little play and practice.

Color Temperature Affects the Mood

Light has color, even if we don't always notice it. Sunlight feels warm in the evening and cooler during the day. Indoor bulbs can be yellow or white. These small shifts change the emotional tone of our photos. A warm light feels cozy and nostalgic. Cool light feels calm or sometimes lonely. By noticing these tiny changes, we can make photos that feel the way we want them to—just through color alone.

Let's Practice and Explore Together

We don't need a big studio or professional background to master lighting. All we need is to start noticing the light around us—in our rooms, on the street, in cafes. How does it fall? What shadows does it make? What kind of mood does it create? The more we notice, the better our photos will be, even without changing anything else.

Lykkers, Want to Try a Light Challenge?

Here's a little fun task for you: Try taking one photo in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one at night in the same place. Notice how the light changes—and how the feel of the photo changes too. You'll be surprised at how much light alone can do. If you try this, we'd love to hear how it goes!