Photo Lighting Guide: From Golden Hour to Indoor

Warm, soft, directional. The most flattering light for portraits, landscapes, and everything in between. Long shadows add depth. Colors glow.

💡 Face your subject toward the sun for warm glow, or backlight for silhouettes.

Cool, moody, magical. The sky turns deep blue while artificial lights create warm contrast. Perfect for cityscapes and architecture.

💡 Use a tripod — light is low. Set warmth to +20% in editing to balance the blue.

Nature's softbox. Clouds diffuse sunlight evenly — no harsh shadows, no squinting. Best for portraits and product photos.

💡 Colors look muted in overcast light. Boost saturation +15-20% in editing.

Harsh, unflattering overhead light. Creates strong shadows under eyes and nose. Generally avoid for portraits.

💡 Find shade, use a hat, or embrace it for high-contrast dramatic shots.

The best indoor light source. Place subject facing the window for even light, or 45° angle for dimension. Sheer curtains = instant diffusion.

💡 Turn off artificial lights to avoid mixed color temperatures.

Rim lighting creates a glowing outline around your subject. Hair lights up, edges glow. Very cinematic.

💡 Expose for the subject (not the sky). Use fill flash or reflector to prevent silhouette.