Be aware of existing light

• Light is all around you, all the time. It's critical for a photographer to be aware of what kind of light exists in a setting and how to best use it to her advantage. Observe the type of light you see in daily life.
  
  

Directional light

• Almost all light comes from a certain direction, which means that subjects must be repositioned until light hits them in a pleasing way. It's best for the light to be about 30 degrees off the lens axis to either side, as this position usually provides pleasing shadows and good tonal separation.
  
  

Quality of light

• The quality of light refers chiefly to the shadows that the light casts. Hard light casts shadows with hard edges. Soft light, which casts shadows with soft, fading edges, is usually more pleasing to the eye. For most applications, soft, slightly directional light is best, such as when the sun peaks through the sky on a cloudy day.
  
  

Use light to improve your pictures

• To use light effectively, position your subjects to catch the light in an attractive way. Use the right kind of light to get the image you want. This technique takes some practice. Study the light in famous photographs to learn from exceptional examples.