Ask most seasoned digital photographers and they will most certainly tell you that the hardest concept to snap that perfect shot is the lighting.

The first lighting mystery in every image is back lighting. Back lighting usually presents itself naturally in the form of the sun, sky, or bright lights.

With automation technology in digital cameras advanced an automatic internal light meter sets itself to adapt to the extra light. While sometimes beneficial the usual outcome is that the image subject is under exposed and becomes a silhouette. Avoid this at all costs.

Fill Flash to the rescue. A fill flash will "fill" in where light is needed.

Diffused Lighting is another lighting option.

Sometimes any light is more light then you want on your image. While inconvenient sometimes the subject is what has to move. Pick a different day, a different location, or a different time of day. Another possibility would be to include a prop in the shoot that alters the light, perhaps an umbrella or a tree. Clouds can also sometimes come at the perfect time to help shade your subject.

So isn't artificial lighting the answer to most lighting issues?

First you have the camera's built in flash. While handy they can sometimes leave you with the 'red eye' effect. This is because the flash is to close to the lens. This direct light is also usually quite harsh on the subject. Moving the flash away from the lens will soften the light but you would have to purchase an off camera flash.

In short, make the most of your pictures to attain the best possible picture and then become acquainted and knowledgeable with a great photo enhancing software package.

Because sometimes you only have one moment to capture the image.