This week in my summer series connecting photography with inclusive communication, I’m shining a light on a concept that affects everything we see and feel in an image: lighting. And not just brightness or shadow—but how too much or too little light can change everything. Sound familiar? It happens in communication too.
This week’s topic: Lighting
Welcome back to my summer series on what photography can teach us about better, more inclusive communication. This week, I’m focusing on something that can completely shift a mood or message—lighting.
In Photography: Too Bright, Too Dark, or Just Right
Lighting in photography is about how much light you let into the frame. If there’s not enough, the image is underexposed—details get lost in the shadows. Too much light, and it’s overexposed—things look washed out and unclear. The sweet spot? Just the right lighting that brings out detail, emotion, and mood.
When I shoot, I often adjust the lighting to match the story I want to tell. A bit darker for drama, brighter for softness and warmth. It’s not about perfect conditions—it’s about making conscious choices.
In Communication: When Things Are Too Dim or Too Bright
In communication, lighting is like the emotional and informational exposure of your message. When something is underexposed, it’s not given enough light—meaning it’s vague, hidden, or too subtle. People might miss the point, misunderstand your intent, or feel excluded because they don’t have the full picture.
On the flip side, when a topic is overexposed, it’s like shining too much light—overexplaining, oversharing, or pushing too hard. This can overwhelm your audience, create discomfort, or even lead to mistrust. You might lose your listener because the message feels too intense or emotionally unfiltered.
Finding the right lighting in communication means sharing clearly, but with care. It’s about giving just enough detail, emotion, or transparency for others to connect—without losing them in the shadows or the glare.
What I’ve Learned from Lighting
Photography has taught me that playing with lighting changes everything. A slight shift can reveal something new—or hide what’s important. When I communicate, I try to apply the same principle: what do I want others to truly see and feel? Am I creating light that brings clarity—or one that creates confusion?
So next time you write, speak, or post, ask yourself: Am I lighting this in a way that helps people connect and understand??
Next Week: Contrast
Next week, I’ll dive into contrast—a key element in both visual and verbal storytelling. Until then, pay attention to how you’re lighting your message. And if you’ve got a photo or a story where light made all the difference, I’d love to hear about it.
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