Incident light refers to the light that falls directly onto a subject from a light source, such as the sun, a studio light, or a flash. It is the illumination that reaches the subject before being reflected into the camera, and it plays a key role in determining exposure and overall image quality.
Photographers often measure incident light using a handheld light meter to achieve more accurate exposure settings, especially in controlled lighting environments. Understanding incident light helps ensure consistent results, balanced lighting, and better control over highlights and shadows in both studio and outdoor photography.