The term photography comes from the Greek words phos, which means light, and graphein, which means to write or draw. Therefore, photography is drawing with light. Understanding the qualities and properties of light is of great importance to a photographer.

Light is a type of radiant energy. Regardless of the source, natural or artificial, light acts in the same way as it travels from source to subject. Light travels in a straight line unless interfered with in some physical way. Physical interference can be labeled as follows:

1. Transmitted - Light can strike a surface that is transparent, such as window glass, and be transmitted relatively intact.

2. Reflected - Light can be reflected fairly intact when it is reflected on a mirror or mirror-like surface. If it is reflected off of a lightly opaque surface, it will be reflected slightly diffused.

3. Refracted - When light is passing from one material to another, like light traveling through the air and striking water at an oblique angel, it is called refracted or bent.

4. Absorbed - Light can be absorbed when it hits a dark or black surface.

Keep in mind that more than one of these things can happen to light simultaneously.

Lighting can range from soft, diffused, to harsh, glaring light. If you learn the effects of each form of light and how to create them, you will soon know instinctively which type of lighting to choose.

1. Diffused lighting - This is the softest type of light. It is created by bouncing your light into a reflector and then diffusing it through some type of diffusing screen.

2. Umbrella lighting - A strobe head aimed into an umbrella creates a soft, shadow-free light. It may also be bounced off ceilings and walls to create a larger effect.

3. Direct lighting - Remove the umbrella and just leave the strobe light and you have direct lighting. Direct lighting can be manipulated a number of ways such as reflector heads or grid spots.

A scrim is an important tool used in lighting. It is a framework with an overlay of diffusing material used to soften the light passing through it. You can construct your own scrim by simply constructing a frame out of spare lumber and attaching frosted Mylar that you can purchase at most art supply stores. Use black tape to attach the Mylar rather than a staple gun. Staples can cause the Mylar to tear when you are pulling it tight.

Practice with many different ways to manipulate your lighting and you will soon learn how to create the effects you desire.

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