- Natural lighting is exactly that -- natural. It is light that comes from the sun. It is considered appealing to the eye, because it is the way we see life, lit by the sun. To light a subject naturally when indoors, photographers will often position subjects near a window. Soft daylight coming through a window is often used for intimate portraits. A photographer will sometimes use reflectors to direct natural light wherever she needs it.
- Although direct sunlight can be appealing for some artistic photos, most photographers avoid it when photographing people. The direct sunlight causes harsh shadows and squinting. Overcast skies are preferable when photographing people outside, because the light is even and diffuse. It is as common to use reflectors when photographing outside as it is inside.
- Incandescent lamps are a common form of artificial light used by photographers. There are many varieties of incandescent lamps and each has its own color cast. A color cast is a particular tint that each lamp sheds on its subject. For example, a household lamp has an orange color cast. Photographers carefully choose what kind of light to use based on the effects they desire.
- Electronic flashes vary in size. They can be small enough to fit in a camera, or large enough to be held on a stand. A combination of flashes are sometimes used to create elaborate lighting designs. Photographers often use an umbrella reflector to diffuse the light.