Lighting: shape attention, depth and mood
Light is assessed by what it does for this photograph, not by whether it is soft or dramatic. The default weight is 20%; portraits, for example, place more weight on lighting.
This is a category guide, not a checklist of mandatory rules. Genre, the selected critique level and your photographic intent shape the evaluation. The percentage above is the default weight; the weight used for a specific genre may differ.
What REVIEWR grades here
- Direction, quality and contrast in relation to the subject
- Exposure choices and detail where it matters
- How light separates, reveals or deliberately obscures the subject
What strong work looks like
- The lighting supports the intended mood
- Highlights and shadows draw attention where you want it
- Important detail remains readable unless its absence serves a clear purpose
What can weaken the image
- A distracting bright patch that competes with the subject
- Loss of important detail that undermines the photograph
- Light that works against the intended atmosphere
A practice exercise
Photograph the same subject with frontal, side and back light. Keep the framing similar and compare the effect on form and mood. Choose the direction that best supports your intent; an editing revision can test a local adjustment, while different lighting may require a reshoot.
Check the change in a linked revision
Choose one issue from the critique and revise with that issue in mind. Use the improved-photo upload on the original critique; you can optionally explain what you changed. Compare both versions and their category feedback, then decide whether the change served the photograph. An unchanged score can still accompany a useful improvement.
Check your lighting score
Submit a photo and see exactly where this category lands, with the written reasoning behind the number. Start with a free preview, no payment method required.
Get your free critiqueLast updated: 19 October 2026 · Written by Deni Dedic, photographer and founder of REVIEWR