A lot of photographers misuse the words "light" and "lighting".

They seem to think that light and lighting mean the same thing.

But they don’t.

They're actually two very different things—and knowing the difference can change how we understand photography and work as photographers.

In practical terms, light is what we find in a scene— among other things, the sun streaming through a window, a streetlamp at night, or cloudy daylight.

We don’t control its presence, but we can observe its characteristics: direction, color, and intensity, to name a few of ‘em.

Noticing how light falls on a subject, how it shifts across the day, or how shadows appear is the first step to making a thoughtful photograph.

Light is usually available to us; lighting is something we do with light.
 

Using flashes, reflectors, or other lighting tools, we enhance light.

If a portrait lacks detail somewhere, we might add a reflector or other light source to bring out detail.
 

If a room is too dim, we introduce a flash.

We could also think of light as a noun and lighting as a verb.

The more we understand the characteristics of light, the better we become with lighting.

Light is something that’s baked into everything I do as a photography teacher.

If you want to learn more, this is the kind of stuff we cover during the Photography Basics/Introduction To Photography class, or we can explore them in depth through private lessons.

No matter how you study and practice with me, I’ll help you be a better photographer.
 

About Sam

Sam D'Amico, a professional photographer and photography instructor, helps anyone who wants to be a better photographer. 

He'll work with his students to increase their understanding of camera operation, composition, light, and lighting. 

Sam started working as a professional photographer in the mid-1980s.

Most notably, from 1992 to 1997, while working as a freelance photographer, he photographed over 500 assignments for the New York Times.

Additionally, Sam received awards for his work while exhibiting his photographs in shows. 

Sam began teaching photography professionally in 1998 through the Highland Park, N.J. recreation department. 

In 2002 Sam moved to Washington, D.C., and began teaching at the accredited Washington School of Photography in Bethesda, Md.

It was in 2003 that Sam developed his curriculum and started teaching classes in Washington, D.C. 

In 2018 and 2022, the Sam D'Amico Photography Classes were voted the "Best of DC" art class by the readers of the Washington City Paper. 

Many photography teachers spend a lot of time teaching about DSLRs and rules of composition that create homogenized, rigid photographs.

On the other hand, Sam teaches about camera operation, thought process, and the individual photographer's visual communication intent. 

This approach to teaching allows his students to use ANY camera (yes, even the camera on their phone) and break free of the rules of composition.

Approaching the creative process this way allows for fluid and spontaneous photographs unique to the photographer creating them.

Sam encourages his students to find their ways as photographers. 

He instills the skills in his students that result in creative, engaging, and unique compositions that reflect the photographer's intended one-of-a-kind visual expression.