“Where does your light comes from?” is a question I ask myself when I paint or apply artistic effect to a photo.

Why does light matter in images?

While painting or drawing a clear point from which the subject is illuminated helps you establish dimension.  It also makes your image more visually appealing.  It helps to focus the eye on a certain part of the image which draws the viewer in.  In other words it helps to establish a focus point.

When your image has a clear focus point, it will hold the attention of the viewer for longer. Images that make you feel are the ones that really capture your viewer. 

Take a look at these examples. All the images are created from the same basic photograph of a dead tree. The picture was taken in natural sunlight, in direction with the sun.

Image 1 is the photo as it…