Photography is to the biggest extent being aware of and mastering light - fundamentally it revolves around light.
Quality of Light: This includes the softness or hardness of light.
Direction of Light: The angle at which light hits the subject can dramatically change the mood and feel of a photograph.
Intensity of Light: Controlling the brightness or dimness of the light can affect the exposure and contrast of the image.
Color of Light: Different light sources emit different colors (color temperature), which can influence the overall tone of the photograph.
Light and Shadow: Mastery of light involves understanding how shadows can be used to add dimension, depth, and texture to a photograph.
Trying to understand and master these elements challenges me to capture the desired mood, atmosphere, and story in the images.