New
New
Light and dark in photography
I can review the range of ways photographers have been inspired by light and dark in photography.
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
- Year 10
Light and dark in photography
I can review the range of ways photographers have been inspired by light and dark in photography.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Photographers can use light and dark to create mood, atmosphere and contrast in photography.
- We can find symbolic meanings of light and darkness across different cultures and art movements.
- Photographers can experiment with using light and shadow to define form, space and focus in their photographs.
Keywords
Silhouette - a dark shape or outline of something against a lighter background, showing only the outline with no internal detail
Contrast - the difference between elements (like light and dark or rough and smooth) that makes parts of an image stand out
Common misconception
Light and dark are only used to make things look realistic, not to create mood.
This overlooks how contrast can be used to suggest emotion, tension, calm, or drama, not just realism.
Greater contextual information on the photographer's work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to better fit your project themes.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.True or false: Shadows in photography are always caused by an object blocking light.
True or false: Shadows in photography are always caused by an object blocking light.
False
Q2.Which of the following is the main source of natural light for photography?
Which of the following is the main source of natural light for photography?
Street lamps
Camera flash
A phone screen
Q3.Match the word to its meaning:
Match the word to its meaning:
Q4.True or false: Black-and-white photography cannot show contrast.
True or false: Black-and-white photography cannot show contrast.
True
Q5.Why might a photographer use strong contrast between light and dark?
Why might a photographer use strong contrast between light and dark?
To create flat and dull images
To make photos more impactful
To remove all details
To blur the whole image
