Monthly challenges
Ongoing challenges
January: The perfect Rembrandt
Few lighting styles are as iconic as Rembrandt lighting. Defined by a small triangle of light beneath the eye on the shadow side of the face, it's a timeless technique that balances drama and subtlety to create depth, character, and mood. In this challenge, precision is key.
Show us how you shape light and shadow to sculpt form, guide emotion, and create atmosphere - all with that unmistakable Rembrandt touch.
Images using Rembrandt lighting
Meet this month’s jury
Chris Knight
Old-world artistry meets cinematic technique in Chris Knight's sculpted, painterly portraits. Drawing from classical references, he builds images with rich light, textures, and emotional weight. His subjects feel rendered, not merely photographed.
Joey Lawrence
From tribel communities to conflict zones, Joey Lawrence tells powerful human stories shaped by light, trust, and connection. His portraits carry emotional gravity, bridging culture and context with empathy and depth.
Gemmy Woud-Binnendijk
Inspired by the Dutch Golden Age, Gemmy Woud-Binnengijk creates softly lit, emotionally rich fine-art portraits. Her work blends classical depth with gentle modernity, turning light and skin into quiet poetry.
How to enter
Share the Light is more than just an image-sharing platform - It's about learning lighting together. That's why we encourage you to share as much detail as possible so other creatives can follow your lighting decisions.
Upload
Upload your images for the challenge
Show BTS
Add a lighting diagram or behind-the-scenes image(s) or video
Details
Describe why and how you used lighting to get each shot
Don't forget to share your uploads with your audience and friends!
Upcoming challenges
February: Mixing Ambient and Flash
When available light meets flash, new possibilities open up. This challenge is about mastering the balance – using the world and light around you as a canvas and shaping it with your own light.
From golden hour portraits to cityscapes at night, show us how you combine ambient exposure with flash control to create images greater than the sum of their parts.
Challenge starts 1st of February
March: The AI fusion challenge
This is where creativity meets innovation. Go beyond the frame and create striking composites that blend photography, lighting, and the power of AI.
Whether it’s merging multiple exposures, enhancing a scene with new elements, or crafting an image that feels otherworldly, this challenge is about pushing boundaries and exploring the future of image-making – while keeping light at the heart of your vision.
Challenge starts 1st of March
Previous challenges
October: Dramatic lighting
Light has the power to create tension, emotion, and impact. In this first challenge, we invite you to explore the bold side of photography – where contrast, shadows, and intensity take center stage.
Show us how you use light to craft drama in your images. Whether it’s a single hard source, a striking silhouette, or deep cinematic contrast, this is your chance to set the tone for the Race for the Gold.
November: High key lighting
High key lighting is defined by brightness, softness, and minimal shadows. It creates images that feel clean, airy, and full of life – where glowing whites and gentle contrast set the tone.
Show us how you use high key setups to capture the luminous side of photography – whether it’s a radiant portrait, a fresh editorial look, or a glowing still life.
December: Soft light
Soft light has the power to flatter, calm, and transform. It smooths transitions, minimizes harshness, and creates images that feel natural and timeless.
In this challenge, we invite you to explore the gentle side of light – whether it’s through window light, diffusion, bounce, or modifiers like umbrellas and softboxes. Show us how you use softness to shape emotion, enhance beauty, and tell your story.