In my mind, the whole idea of Challenge Night is to be educational, to stretch ourselves, and learn new things. Those who know me know how important the light is to me. My favorite quote about photography comes from George Eastman: “Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”

Photography is all about capturing the light! It is my firm belief that if you study light and integrate what you learn, you will see an improvement in your photography. I know I did – and still am – once I figured that out.

My favorite type of lighting – whether a person, place, or thing – is side light. Side lighting, also called cross lighting, is a photography lighting technique in which light is cast from one side onto a subject. This results in one side being illuminated while the opposite side remains in shadow.

Side light in photography contributes to setting a dramatic tone. The interplay of light and shadow in side lighting intensifies this contrast, heightening the mystery and theatricality of an image.

Besides enhancing dimension, side lighting emphasizes a subject’s features and textures. With the light coming from the side, even the tiniest details cast shadows, making them stand out more. This technique is particularly favored by landscape photographers, as side lighting during the golden hour—when the sun is rising or setting—makes landscapes appear more interesting and well-defined. Side lighting can enhance landscapes such as dunes and waves, adding a three-dimensional effect that brings out their natural contours and shapes.

Additionally, side lighting introduces depth and distinction to an image. When a subject is illuminated from the side, light wraps around them, effectively separating them from the background. This enhances the subject’s dimensionality, ensuring they stand out vividly against the background rather than appearing flat.

So there you have it. The theme for this month is “Side Light.” I’ve attached a few photos for reference. They use different light sources: natural, window (indirect), and strobe. The light source itself matters not.

Enjoy!

Jerry