Flat lighting your portrait photography is a useful technique for natural images. However, flat light can also be your enemy. Here's how to create or avoid it.

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The 42 refers to the size of the front lens in millimeters. The larger the front lens (also called the objective lens), the more light reaches your eye. That means the image will be bigger, brighter, and clearer. A pair of 8x42 binoculars should be significantly brighter and offer a better viewing experience than a pair of 8x32 binoculars, even though both provide the same magnification. But the larger you get, the more glass they will use—so they'll weigh more. The weight difference between an 8x32 pair and a 10x42 pair is significant if you're wearing them all day. We suggest sticking with lenses in the 26-50 range. Our top pick is roughly in the middle, at 8x42, generally considered the sweet spot for most people.

Nikonbinocularsfor glasses wearers

High key lighting in photography creates bright and airy images that have a majority of white and light-colored tones. Because of this, to do a high key portrait, you need flat lighting conditions.

I’ll also tell you how to avoid it if you actually need stronger highlights and contrast to create more dynamic lighting. Each situation we show you will have an example photo to spark your inspiration.

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The eye cups fold down for glasses-wearers but not easily. They’re better without glasses, adjusting the focus and diopter to your eyesight. The image is bright enough by day. Tracking a flying bird may be difficult, but they’re good for studying stationary birds. They’re also a great introduction to the magic of moon-gazing.—Caramel Quin

Newborn photographers and wedding photographers also use flat light because it creates a soft atmosphere ideal for these situations that convey joy and innocence.

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The nomenclature for the Monarch series is a little confusing. I'm recommending the Monarch M5 here, released in 2022, but the Monarch 5 binoculars I own are technically still available. The new M5 designation features a slightly wider field of view and better optical coatings. There's also the more expensive Monarch M7 series, which is available in 8x42. I have not tested the latter, which offers an even larger field of view but is significantly more expensive.

That difference is very obvious when comparing high-end Leicas or Swarovskis to $300 models like the Monarch M5. The difference between the Monarch M5 and similarly priced 8x42 binoculars is much less obvious. For this reason, I highly suggest visiting your local store and trying some of these, if at all possible. Some people will see little difference between a $300 pair and a $500 pair, but you'll never know unless you try them out.

To quote the authors of Light – Science and Magic, “The effective size of the light source is the single most important decision in lighting a photograph”.

Image-stabilized binoculars use electronics to smooth out your view similar to what action cams do to get rid of jittery video. There are quite a few models out there, and we are still testing, but here are few that have stood out from the pack so far.

With flat lighting, you eliminate shadows. Therefore, the resulting image will lack drama, and you may end up with very predictable results.

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Also, if you have any more tips on creating or avoiding flat light to create great photos, please share them with us below.

You’ve probably seen flash photography kits that come in sets of three. This is because one of the most common lighting patterns in portrait work is the three-light setup.

Nikon's Monarch 5 binoculars were my first “real” binoculars. Years later, their upgraded M5 is my top pick for most people just getting started. These offer great bang for your buck, and the 8x42 magnification is the most versatile. It isn't just me, either. These are some of the most common binoculars I see when I'm out birding.

As with all Celestron binos there's a nice big, smooth focusing knob, and they also have long eye relief which makes them easy to use with glasses. There is a fair bit chromatic aberration, especially with bright stars or the moon, but I didn't find it distracting. In fact, for the price, these provide surprisingly great views.

Since a number of readers have asked, I personally own a pair of Nikon 8x42 Monarchs (the older version of our top pick), a pair of Celestron 10x42 Regal ED. When I head of hiking and I don't have anything to test, I use the Celestron Trailblazer ED 8x32.

You get good magnification, with a waterproof (IPX7 rating) and fogproof design in a lightweight package (11.8 ounces). These also have two things that specifically make them great for kids: rugged construction and a nice, rubberized grip. I can't tell you how many trees and rocks these have bashed into while around my son's neck, and they're still as good as new.

So far, we’ve seen how to produce flat lighting and why you would want it. However, we’ve also established that it’s not suited for all types of photography.

Flat light is usually quite easy to find, especially indoors – this is one reason that makes it a popular photography lighting technique.

The Monarch M5s are also light enough that they can hang around your neck all day without bothering you too much, and they come with the most comfortable stock strap of any binoculars I've tested.

If you're looking for binoculars for bird-watching, check out our guide All the Gear You Need to Start Birding. Be sure to check out our other guides, including The Best Gear to Make Your Backyard More Fun, The Best Hiking Gear, and How a Birdfeeder Can Bring You Joy.

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Our top pick at this size is the Vortex Viper HD Binoculars. These offer excellent clarity, crisp, clear views, and good color accuracy. The colors are slightly less saturated to my eye, but I only noticed this in side-by-side comparisons with the Nikons above. The focus wheel is smooth, though I wish it were slightly faster. There is some blurring in the periphery (the edges of your field of vision through the lenses), but that's to be expected at this price.

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Let’s say you’re shooting a portrait, and you place a light at a 45-degree angle to the subject’s left. Then the right side will be in the shadow.

There are two types of light – hard light and soft light – here’s the difference. Hard light creates deep and well-defined shadows; this will add drama to your photos.

It has an airy style – flat lighting is very soft, giving an ethereal flowy feel to your images. That’s why it makes excellent photos of newborns, weddings, etc.

If you want to create flat lighting conditions, you need to use soft light. To achieve this, you need to diffuse the light source – this is done with light modifiers.

To achieve dappled light with artificial light, you can buy sheets with different patterns cut into them – you can also DIY them if you want to have some unique shapes.

Canned air dusters or duster sprays are primarily made for electronics or sensitive surfaces that would be damaged by liquid cleaners and other dusting methods.

First, I’ll cover what flat light is and the pros and cons of it. Then, I’ll show you how to create flat light and some examples of using it to your advantage.

While doing so, it contributes a base magnification of anywhere from 4x (for a scanning objective lens, typically used to provide an overview of a sample) to ...

If you’re working with natural light, you can place your subject under a tree where there’s direct sunlight hitting it – this way, the light passes through the leaves, creating the effect.

Flat lighting is when the light source hardly casts any shadows. As you may know, shadows and contrast are what create the illusion of depth in a photo – which has only two dimensions.

I am very fortunate to be able to go birding nearly every day. Most of my testing is done birding, though if you ever see me at baseball game with four pairs of binoculars around my neck, please try not to laugh. I test in conditions ranging from the deep, dark forests of the north woods, to the dry desert canyons of the west, to the harsh, glaring sun of the Florida panhandle. I also spend plenty of time out hiking, subjecting these binoculars to life in a bag, life around my neck to get a sense of their durability.

These Pentax are also excellent for the price. The 7.8-degree field of view is wide enough for most uses and the extra-low dispersion (ED) glass is very effective. I saw basically no chromatic aberrations, even on the edges. Even better, the sharpness to the edge is outstanding, better, in fact, than the Celestrons, but the magnification is less and the FOV is also slightly narrower. As with most of our picks, these are waterproof and fogproof. The focus knob is also very smooth. And at 20 ounces, I didn't mind having them around my neck all day. If you're hiking and this is in your budget, these are also a great choice.

However, when there’s overcast, the light source isn’t the sun anymore – it’s the cloudy sky acting like a giant softbox that scatters the light.

Of course, flat lighting can also help when photographing certain products depending on the material. Also, you can use it for creative purposes in other types of photography.

There are multiple situations where you end up with flat light, from the use of direct flash to midday sun on a cloudy day. Here are some concrete examples:

The number 8 refers to the magnification power. Objects seen through these binoculars will be eight times bigger than when you look with your naked eye. Newcomers should stick with 6X or 8X. They have enough power that you'll see things clearly, but they don't magnify so much that you'll struggle to find what you want to see or have trouble following fast-moving objects (though all binoculars take some practice).

Ideally, you should organize the photoshoot when the sun is illuminating the opposite side of the building or during an overcast day for great natural flat light.

This is one of the easiest studio lighting setups you can do, and it’s incredibly flattering. It’s a popular portrait lighting technique that creates a youthful, light and ethereal atmosphere.

Whether you're scouting terrain, watching birds in your backyard, stargazing, or getting season tickets at Fenway, binoculars bring the world closer, making it sharp and clear far beyond what your eye is capable of seeing. To choose the right pair of binos, you must be clear about what you're going to use them for. If you'd just like to watch some birds at the feeder in your backyard and perhaps overcome the limitations of the cheap seats at the ballpark, there's no need to spend a fortune. On the other hand, if you go birding in diverse locations or are planning a big hunt in unfamiliar territory, it's often worth the extra money to get something a little more powerful.

In any case, know that flat light is only one of the multiple lighting setups you can utilise to your advantage in photography.

At just 4 inches long and weighing a mere 7.2-ounce, the Bushnell Powerview 2 8x21 binoculars are as compact as they are ridiculously affordable. They’re not amazing binoculars, but they’re amazing value. They’re sturdy, with an aluminum chassis rather than plastic, and despite the price tag, they come with a simple neck strap and case (but no lens caps). Consider them good first binoculars for your kids or a good addition to your everyday carry. You never know when you might spot a bird.

If this is your case, don’t worry because this article will clear all your doubts about how and when to use flat lighting.

If you really want to zoom in on the world, spotting scopes are the way to go. They have a steeper learning curve than binoculars. It can be very challenging to track small active birds, but when you get something in the viewing lens of Pentax's new PF-85EDA Spotting Scope, the view is stunning. The 85-mm objective lens is bright and sharp with almost no chromatic aberrations. I tested the kit with the 8-24 mm eyepiece, but the eyepiece slot will accept most XF series eyepieces and XW series, which are optimized for astronomical observation.

The 45-degree bend in the scope makes it comfortable to use sitting or standing. That said, if you're looking for a lightweight scope, look elsewhere; this thing is large and heavy. That said, it’s relatively compact, and the performance is outstanding for the price. While I haven't tested many others, the PF-85EDA is a nice midrange option that's light-years better than cheaper models but won't set you back $3,000 or more like high-end spotting scopes.

The stabilization is game-changing. I never really noticed the shake before, then I pressed the button and saw the difference: It’s crisp, like a photo, yet moving. Leaves rustle, smoke rises. It’s almost like using a tripod. They’re great for shake-free birdwatching, hiking, and general snooping. And at night they’re good for moon-gazing, with crisp detail so steady that it trumps optically superior models. —Caramel Quin

Another type of portrait photography that uses flat light is when shooting headshots for ID cards and documents. Look at the photo you have on your passport or driving license – they usually don’t have any shadows because that way, it’s easier to identify a person.

You may have noticed that the binoculars in this guide span a huge price range, from under $100 to over $3,000. This comes down to two main factors: the quality of glass and coatings, and the engineering behind them.

Since you don’t have any shadows, the image loses the feeling of three-dimensionality and therefore looks flat – hence the name flat lighting.

Updated October 2024: We've added Canon's image-stabilized binoculars, a new budget pick from Bushnell, Zeiss's new HDX 8x42s, and Pentax's new PF-85EDA spotting scope. We've also updated prices and links throughout.

Binoculars are usually listed with two number specifications; for example, the Nikon Monarch M5 are 8x42. Here's what that means:

Besteyeglasses binoculars

The way to arrange this would be to set up a key light, usually at a 45-degree angle and a fill light at a 45-degree angle on the other side.

When I head out hiking, the Celestron 8x32 Trailseeker ED (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are the binoculars I want around my neck. They're light enough to hardly notice them, but have great optical performance for this price. The Trailseekers offer phase and dielectric-coated BaK-4 prisms, which is rare in this size binocular at this price (another way you might see this listed is roof prism binoculars with multi-coated optics). It works. The ED glass keeps fringing and other chromatic aberrations under control even in very bright, high-glare conditions. With a roughly 7.9-degree field of view, I find birding with these to be very similar to my 10X42, both the power and objective lens size are smaller, but the field of view ends up almost the same.

The important thing is to determine the correct ratio between these lights because the more difference between them, the more shadows you’ll have on the subject’s face. If you have a 1:1 balance, you’ll hardly have any shades, and you’ll end up with flat lighting.

Image-stabilized binoculars tend to be expensive, but Canon has quite a few budget models worth considering. They're simple to use. You just tap the button on top for five minutes of stabilization, or tap again to turn it off sooner. The tech detects your movement and adjusts for it optically, in real time. The Canon 8x20 IS, its smallest, are doubly pocket-friendly: They’re surprisingly affordable and fit in a large pocket. At 15-ounce plus battery, they won’t weigh you down.The 8X magnification is good for wildlife and sports, as is the 10X magnification of the only slightly larger Canon 10x20 IS. The 6.6-degree field of view is narrow but wide enough for most situations.

As you can see, photographers that say flat light is good are right – but so are the ones that try to avoid flat lighting at all costs! Remember, there’s no such thing as bad light – it all depends on the effect that you want to achieve.

Best 10x42binocularsfor eyeglass wearers

The Monarch M5s strike an excellent balance between optical power, quality, and price. The roof prism design includes phase coatings and ED glass (Extra Low Dispersion Glass). The multi-coated glass cuts down on chromatic aberrations (distortion or color fringing sometimes seen around objects in bright sunlight). The Monarch M5s give nice, bright views with very little distortion, making them excellent birding binoculars. The eyepieces have large (21 mm) eye lenses and they're deeply recessed in the eye cups, which allows for nearly a full field of view even when wearing glasses.

Small lights are hard, while larger sources are softer. As you now know, flat lighting means having very little contrast – which is why you need a large light source.

When you think stargazing you probably think telescopes, but binoculars can work too, especially larger, higher magnification models like these Celestron Skymasters. The first thing to know is that these are huge, most of the time you'll want to use them with a tripod, which is not included in the price (they do include an adapter, which I used to put them on a photo tripod, which worked fine). The Porro prism design (see below), with 15x magnification and 70mm objective lenses make these are nice and bright, perfect for getting good views of the moon. They also work for larger clusters and nebulae. They do work for birding as well, but its more like using a spotting scope. They're nice for digiscoping though if you're viewing something reasonable stationary, like water birds.

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While flat lighting can be a great resource for portrait photographers, it’s not ideal when you want to do other types of photography – such as landscapes.

One of the most common ways to achieve it is to point the light source directly at your subject from the same position as the camera.

However, if you can’t do it another time, you can diffuse light with sheer curtains. This will be like putting a softbox to a strobe.

If you place a second light on the right at a 45-degree angle with the same intensity as the other one, it will fill the shadow, causing a flat light.

If you can't get to a store, stick with our top pick. It may not be the absolute best that money can buy, but it will be good enough for most people and will leave more money in your pocket.

When you use natural light indoors, you’re typically referring to window light. In this case, it’s important that you control the light direction.

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I look at a number of factors, including the optical quality, AKA sharpness and clarity, the brightness (taking into account objective lens size), color rendition, eye relief (where your eye needs to be to see the entire field of view), weight, and comfort. In the end I will admit I am biased toward sharpness and clarity. If it isn't sharp, nothing else matters. Lately though I've also been carefully testing eye relief not just for human viewing, but also for digiscoping (a fancy neologism for sticking a camera up to the lens).

Maven's C.2 series is the first compact binocular I've tested that didn't leave me frustrated. Yes the 28-mm field of view is narrow when you're used to 42 mm, but these are so small and light—just 4.5 inches and weighing only 12 ounces—that I barely even noticed them around my neck. If you want compact, lightweight optics that still deliver a bright, sharp image, these are the binoculars to get. They're good for general-purpose use—wildlife, sports, travel, or any time you want binoculars but don't want to know you have binoculars.

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Flat lighting your portrait photography is a useful technique for natural images. However, flat light can also be your enemy. Here's how to create or avoid it.

Before I dive into why the Nocs are great for kids, let me be clear: Nocs are not kids’ binoculars. They're fine compact binoculars that fit well in the ultralight category above. I “borrow” them from my kids all the time. I wouldn't suggest these as the best first pair of binoculars for young kids (in that case, see our budget pick below), but for anyone over the age of 8, these make a great, compact, first pair of binoculars.

When the key light is the only source, its size is the most important factor in determining how hard the shadow is going to be.

Direct sunlight creates high contrast because the sun is far enough away to act as a small light source. This way, the light comes from the same angle and create hard shadows.

Most beginner photographers feel confused about flat light because some people say that flat lighting is great while others say it’s bad.

Usually, you’d want to have low contrast images when you’re doing portraits because it’s more flattering. This includes beauty photography, glamour photography and fashion photography.

Long eye reliefbinoculars

Compact binoculars often involve a significant compromise in image quality. Depending on your use case, the weight savings may be worth the trade-off, but in general, I suggest that birders and hunters stick with 32-mm or larger binoculars. Yes, you can bird with 8x25s, but it's often frustrating.

Binoculars mean the difference between seeing a little gray bird and identifying a titmouse, cheering a home run and seeing the epic catch, or realizing that the 10-point buck is actually a doe standing in front of dead branches.

Some of the most common accessories to create soft light with flashes or strobes are umbrellas and softboxes – a ring light is also popular because of its particular catchlight.

To do any type of photography with natural light – whether a landscape or a portrait, everybody tells you to do it early in the morning or late in the evening.

The third flash is meant to be direct lighting hitting your subject from the back for creating highlights. This is also known as hair light or rim light.

You can create flat light with natural light and artificial light by using any type of equipment. As long as the subject is evenly lit, then it’s known as flat lighting.

The easiest way to do a high-key photo is to use a single light source coming from the front to light the face evenly. The background and wardrobe should be white, too.

Blue hour happens before sunrise and after sunset, while the golden hour refers to the time after sunrise and before sunset.

Rangefinder systems: This is an area I am still testing, but so far Nikon's Coolshot Pro IIs for $447 are at the top of my list for golfers (with the caveat that I don't actually golf, I relied on some help from my father-in-law). These tiny, 6.3-ounce rangefinders are also image-stabilized, which makes it easier to ensure that you're getting the range off the flag and not the green behind it.

It’s very flattering for portrait photography. Its main quality is that it flattens – that’s why it’s the best type of lighting for the skin as it makes it look very smooth.

The difference between 8X and 10X doesn't sound like much, but in practice, it's significant. Objects are larger, but the field of view is narrower. That means it's harder to follow things since a wide field of view gives you more context to orient yourself. This is especially true with something like a small bird in thick shrubs. The greater magnification also means any hand shaking can cause you to lose your subject. That said, this is my favorite resolution for birds, as long as I am not carrying these all day, because 10x42s are considerably heavier.

Because you have very little contrast when you use flat lighting, you’ll need to find other ways to draw the viewer’s attention into the photo.

While knowing that 8x42 means 8x magnification with 42mm objective lenses is a good starting point for choosing binoculars, there are a number of other terms it helps to understand.

That’s why you should always check the weather forecast before you plan an outdoor photoshoot to avoid having flat lighting.

Calculate FOV. Focal Length (mm)*. Pixel Size (μm)*. Detector Horizontal Pixels*. Detector Vertical Pixels*. Horizontal FOV (°). Vertical FOV ...

Dappled lighting means that the light hits the scene or the subject in patches. This is, obviously, the opposite of having even lighting that would create a two-dimensional image.

What if you want 8X magnification, but not the size and weight of 8x42 binoculars? That's where 8x32, 8x30, and even 7x32 in some cases, come in. They offer the same magnification, but a narrower field of view—it can be more difficult to track small objects like a warbler flitting through foliage, but with a little practice it's not too hard to manage. For hiking and traveling light, this size is a good compromise. I am still in the process of testing more models in this size range, but here are my picks so far.

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One caveat: Cabela's frequently sells the pre-2018 model of these at a steep discount but doesn't label it as such. I have not tested that model, and while the deal is pretty good, the optics are definitely different and potentially inferior.

Most of the binoculars listed here share the same BaK-4 roof prism design, which is a glass designation used by the German glassmaker Schott AG. However, within that design standard, there is still a significant range in quality. The unfortunate truth is that the more you spend, the better the image quality will likely be.

Ideally, you should use strobes but if you’re going to use a speed light – make sure it focuses. Otherwise, you can still do it but the only difference is that the shadows won’t have defined edges, and the effect won’t be as effective.

Highly recommended set.a.Light 3D Revolutionary lighting simulation software that streamlines studio photography and film making. Use code SHOTKIT10 to save 10%. CHECK CURRENT PRICE Table of Contents Toggle What is Flat Lighting?Pros of Flat LightCons of Flat LightWhat is flat lighting used for?What causes flat light?How to Create & Use Flat Light for Flattering Portraits1. Use light modifiers2. Put sheer curtains on the window3. Use a large light source4. Try high key photographyHow to Avoid Flat Lighting in your Photography1. Avoid cloudy days2. Shoot at blue and golden hours3. Use multiple-lights patterns when shooting in the studio4. Use dappled light Final Words What is Flat Lighting?   Flat lighting is when the light source hardly casts any shadows. As you may know, shadows and contrast are what create the illusion of depth in a photo – which has only two dimensions. Since you don’t have any shadows, the image loses the feeling of three-dimensionality and therefore looks flat – hence the name flat lighting. You can create flat light with natural light and artificial light by using any type of equipment. As long as the subject is evenly lit, then it’s known as flat lighting. Pros of Flat Light It’s very flattering for portrait photography. Its main quality is that it flattens – that’s why it’s the best type of lighting for the skin as it makes it look very smooth. It has an airy style – flat lighting is very soft, giving an ethereal flowy feel to your images. That’s why it makes excellent photos of newborns, weddings, etc. Flat light is usually quite easy to find, especially indoors – this is one reason that makes it a popular photography lighting technique. Cons of Flat Light While flat lighting can be a great resource for portrait photographers, it’s not ideal when you want to do other types of photography – such as landscapes. Because you have very little contrast when you use flat lighting, you’ll need to find other ways to draw the viewer’s attention into the photo. With flat lighting, you eliminate shadows. Therefore, the resulting image will lack drama, and you may end up with very predictable results. What is flat lighting used for? Credit: Anna Shvets Flat light is used when you don’t want to cast any shadows – at least, as few shadows as possible. Usually, you’d want to have low contrast images when you’re doing portraits because it’s more flattering. This includes beauty photography, glamour photography and fashion photography. Newborn photographers and wedding photographers also use flat light because it creates a soft atmosphere ideal for these situations that convey joy and innocence. Another type of portrait photography that uses flat light is when shooting headshots for ID cards and documents. Look at the photo you have on your passport or driving license – they usually don’t have any shadows because that way, it’s easier to identify a person. Of course, flat lighting can also help when photographing certain products depending on the material. Also, you can use it for creative purposes in other types of photography. What causes flat light? There are multiple situations where you end up with flat light, from the use of direct flash to midday sun on a cloudy day. Here are some concrete examples: On-camera flash – As you now know, flat light occurs when the light is coming from the same direction as the camera. So, an on-camera flash pointed directly at the subject will result in a very two-dimensional look. To add depth when you’re using an on-camera flash, you can point it elsewhere and bounce the light towards the subject. See: what is the best camera flash? Overcast skies – A white cloud cover in the sky will diffuse light. When the light is too soft, it creates minimal contrast – resulting in flat lighting. A 1:1 ratio in multiple light sources – Most people think that flat light is created only by single-light setups. Instead, you can get a flat light with any lighting pattern if there’s no difference between light sources. Let’s say you’re shooting a portrait, and you place a light at a 45-degree angle to the subject’s left. Then the right side will be in the shadow. If you place a second light on the right at a 45-degree angle with the same intensity as the other one, it will fill the shadow, causing a flat light. How to Create & Use Flat Light for Flattering Portraits Flat light is great for portraits because it makes the skin look smooth and flawless. One of the most common ways to achieve it is to point the light source directly at your subject from the same position as the camera. However, there are many ways to get a flat light. Here are some examples: 1. Use light modifiers Credit: Mark Decile There are two types of light – hard light and soft light – here’s the difference. Hard light creates deep and well-defined shadows; this will add drama to your photos. If you want to create flat lighting conditions, you need to use soft light. To achieve this, you need to diffuse the light source – this is done with light modifiers. Some of the most common accessories to create soft light with flashes or strobes are umbrellas and softboxes – a ring light is also popular because of its particular catchlight. If you’re working with natural light, you can use diffuser panels. Of course, there are also some ‘natural diffusers’ such as clouds. 2. Put sheer curtains on the window   When you use natural light indoors, you’re typically referring to window light. In this case, it’s important that you control the light direction. Ideally, you should organize the photoshoot when the sun is illuminating the opposite side of the building or during an overcast day for great natural flat light. If you shoot when direct sunlight is hitting the window, you’ll have dramatic light. However, if you can’t do it another time, you can diffuse light with sheer curtains. This will be like putting a softbox to a strobe. 3. Use a large light source Credit: Shiny Diamond To quote the authors of Light – Science and Magic, “The effective size of the light source is the single most important decision in lighting a photograph”. When the key light is the only source, its size is the most important factor in determining how hard the shadow is going to be. Small lights are hard, while larger sources are softer. As you now know, flat lighting means having very little contrast – which is why you need a large light source. 4. Try high key photography Credit: Fanny Gustafsson High key lighting in photography creates bright and airy images that have a majority of white and light-colored tones. Because of this, to do a high key portrait, you need flat lighting conditions. The easiest way to do a high-key photo is to use a single light source coming from the front to light the face evenly. The background and wardrobe should be white, too. Avoid using rim lighting because the subject would blend with the background. This is one of the easiest studio lighting setups you can do, and it’s incredibly flattering. It’s a popular portrait lighting technique that creates a youthful, light and ethereal atmosphere. What is rim light in photography? How to Avoid Flat Lighting in your Photography So far, we’ve seen how to produce flat lighting and why you would want it. However, we’ve also established that it’s not suited for all types of photography. So, if you want to add dramatic lighting to your photography – here are some tips to avoid flat light. 1. Avoid cloudy days Credit: Ron Lach Direct sunlight creates high contrast because the sun is far enough away to act as a small light source. This way, the light comes from the same angle and create hard shadows. However, when there’s overcast, the light source isn’t the sun anymore – it’s the cloudy sky acting like a giant softbox that scatters the light. That’s why you should always check the weather forecast before you plan an outdoor photoshoot to avoid having flat lighting. 2. Shoot at blue and golden hours Credit: Kat Smith Blue hour happens before sunrise and after sunset, while the golden hour refers to the time after sunrise and before sunset. To do any type of photography with natural light – whether a landscape or a portrait, everybody tells you to do it early in the morning or late in the evening. That’s because the sun is close to the horizon. Therefore light hits the subject from an angle, creating shadows. Instead, if you wait for the midday sun, you’ll risk having images with flat light, especially if there are clouds. 3. Use multiple-lights patterns when shooting in the studio Credit: Ron Lach You’ve probably seen flash photography kits that come in sets of three. This is because one of the most common lighting patterns in portrait work is the three-light setup. The way to arrange this would be to set up a key light, usually at a 45-degree angle and a fill light at a 45-degree angle on the other side. The important thing is to determine the correct ratio between these lights because the more difference between them, the more shadows you’ll have on the subject’s face. If you have a 1:1 balance, you’ll hardly have any shades, and you’ll end up with flat lighting. The third flash is meant to be direct lighting hitting your subject from the back for creating highlights. This is also known as hair light or rim light. Of course, this is just a basic light pattern – some portrait photographers work with five or more flashes. Here’s a guide to three point lighting so you can learn a few more tips to create some interesting portaits. 4. Use dappled light  Credit: Andre Moura Dappled lighting means that the light hits the scene or the subject in patches. This is, obviously, the opposite of having even lighting that would create a two-dimensional image. To achieve dappled light with artificial light, you can buy sheets with different patterns cut into them – you can also DIY them if you want to have some unique shapes. Ideally, you should use strobes but if you’re going to use a speed light – make sure it focuses. Otherwise, you can still do it but the only difference is that the shadows won’t have defined edges, and the effect won’t be as effective. If you’re working with natural light, you can place your subject under a tree where there’s direct sunlight hitting it – this way, the light passes through the leaves, creating the effect. Final Words As you can see, photographers that say flat light is good are right – but so are the ones that try to avoid flat lighting at all costs! Remember, there’s no such thing as bad light – it all depends on the effect that you want to achieve. In any case, know that flat light is only one of the multiple lighting setups you can utilise to your advantage in photography. I hope this article helped you to clear your doubts – if not, feel free to share your questions in the comments section. Also, if you have any more tips on creating or avoiding flat light to create great photos, please share them with us below. X29Facebook3PinterestShare32SHARES Highly Recommended 8 Tools for Photographers Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer. 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If you’re working with natural light, you can use diffuser panels. Of course, there are also some ‘natural diffusers’ such as clouds.

Polarization of light is a property that applies to turning waves that shows the geometrical blooming of the oscillations. In a turning wave, the way of the ...