Hard light
High contrast, strong shadows.
Fewer, smaller light sources, closer to subject.
To the side = dramatic effect.
Soft light
Softer shadow, low contrast.
Larger, wider, more light sources.
Diffusion, bounced light.
ex: 3 point lighting
Natural/Available light
Use what’s already in the scene.
Magic hour
Front vs Side
Flat vs depth (detail, texture)
High-key
Lots of light, low contrast
Low-key
Low light, high contrast.
White balance
Corrects color temperatures (cool or warm) to look neutral, realistic.