Finding Contouring Light

Contouring lighting gives a dimensional look to an otherwise flat piece of paper — your photographic print. That quality of illumination ideally gives three times as much light to one side of the face than the other, or a 3:1 lighting ratio. Don’t panic now; this is not a math quiz! It is a matter of learning to see the light, subtle as it might be, fall on a face.

You can do one very helpful exercise that demonstrates the sculptural or contouring effect of light on a sunny, cloudy, or overcast day. Ideally, you find a spot on the edge of a forest or meadow with trees. Your light source is a low and broad sky without direct sun, as in 3-23.