1.2 KiB
1.2 KiB
Lighting Vocabulary for Image Prompts
Lighting words change the mood of an image more than almost anything else. This is a reference list I use with Raphael AI.
Natural light
| Phrase | Effect |
|---|---|
| golden hour | warm, low sun, long soft shadows |
| blue hour | cool twilight, calm, city lights start |
| overcast daylight | soft, shadowless, true colors |
| harsh noon sun | strong shadows, high contrast |
| dappled light through leaves | patches of light, natural, gentle |
Artificial light
| Phrase | Effect |
|---|---|
| softbox studio light | clean, even, product-style |
| rim light | bright outline separating subject from background |
| neon glow | saturated colors, night city mood |
| candlelight | warm, small pools of light, intimate |
| fluorescent office light | flat, slightly green, realistic interiors |
Direction
Say where the light comes from: "from the left", "backlit", "from above". Direction gives shape to faces and objects.
Combine carefully
One light condition plus one direction is usually enough: "golden hour, backlit". Adding three or four lighting phrases tends to cancel them out.
Try them at https://raphael.app