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Lighting The quality of light is the element which makes the most difference in a photograph. After all, what the photograph captures is the light. Make a habit of noticing the intensity, the color and the direction of the available light. The color is affected by the time of day, the season, and also nearby reflective surfaces. There is no "bad light", although it is true that some light can be harder to work with. How good or bad the light is depends on how you use it. Be aware of the light, analyze it, then utilize it. Most photographers prefer shooting in the early morning or late afternoon, since these times of day provide a softer light than the harsh sunlight in the middle of the day. The angle of the sun in the morning or afternoon can also provide a more interesting lighting situation. An overcast day diffuses the sunlight, lighting everything evenly. A benefit of this is that you don't have to worry about dealing with the shadows and highlights you get with bright sunlight. Try this experiment: pick a subject somewhere close by, and photograph it at least four times during the day. You could also try photographing it in different weather.

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