Lighting is by far the most important ingredient in creating an image, it is the key to photography. Light defines the subject. Light will show or remove texture. It has the power to direct a viewer, evoke an emotion and tell a story. Light is the basis for life and the heart of a photograph. Knowing how to and use light to set the tone for your image is an art, an art that takes years to master and only moments to appreciate. The best part of photography, at least in my opinion is being able to manipulate reality while still keeping it real. An artist can create any fantasy he or she desires with the brush, but photographers must do that with light and shadow alone.