Light reveals itself with infinite characteristics and subtleties. Natural light (light that's not from flash) can change from a cool blue to a warm pink in a matter of seconds. In portraits, light that provides a soft, even glow can hide wrinkles, while light that's dramatic and directional (coming from the side, for example) can intensify a subject's weathered features.

The main thing to keep in mind with natural, or "available," light is that it can change fast! For this reason, the ideal situation is to be at the scene and ready to go before the good light arrives. It also pays off to stick around, when the light is not good, and wait for it to improve. So, two qualities that greatly help the photographer are preparedness and patiencegetting to the scene ahead of time and being able to wait, if necessary, for the ideal moment.

When it comes to working with light, one great trick is to simply turn around. Whenever you find yourself admiring a particular scene, turn 180 degrees around and see how the light looks. Often, when the light catches your eye while facing one direction, it will be equally or even more interesting when you face another direction.

Color

Light takes on many different hues, each having a very different effect on the subject. The more technical among us describe the various colors of light as different temperatures. For example, candlelight can be expressed as 1900 degrees Kelvin (1900K) and noontime daylight might be around 5500K. Light is also referred to as cool or warm, depending on its temperature or color cast.

It doesn't matter how you describe light, as long as you get into the habit of noticing the various colors that light can offer. When you do, you'll see the quality of your pictures immediately begin to improve. With each photographic outing, you'll become more and more aware of the effect that the light has on your subjects. You'll see how subtle changes in these hues can completely transform your photos.