By Doris Meserole © 2010By Doris Meserole © 2010

Using Natural LightUsing Natural Light

in Photographyin Photography

Sun LightSun Light

When used properly is the best lighting When used properly is the best lighting source for photographysource for photography

When used improperly can make a photo When used improperly can make a photo harsh or flatharsh or flat

See examples See examples http://www.geofflawrence.com/photographhttp://www.geofflawrence.com/photography_tutorial_available_light.phpy_tutorial_available_light.php

Time of Day on a Sunny Day Time of Day on a Sunny Day

Dawn and Dusk are considered the best Dawn and Dusk are considered the best time of day for outdoor photographytime of day for outdoor photography

Middle of the day, the sun is directly Middle of the day, the sun is directly overheadoverhead– Harsh shadowsHarsh shadows– Less diffusion since it travels through less Less diffusion since it travels through less

atmosphereatmosphere– Move subjects into an area of uniform shade if Move subjects into an area of uniform shade if

availableavailable

Sun Overhead Sun Overhead

Harsh ShadowsHarsh Shadows– Shadow under noseShadow under nose– Shadows under eyesShadows under eyes

Cloudy and Overcast Days Cloudy and Overcast Days

Natures diffuserNatures diffuser– Directionless Directionless

sunlightsunlight– Minimal shadowsMinimal shadows

Best time for Best time for outdoor portraitsoutdoor portraits

Direction of SunlightDirection of Sunlight

Front LightingFront Lighting– The sun is behind the photographerThe sun is behind the photographer

Side LightingSide Lighting– The sun is at an angleThe sun is at an angle

Back LightingBack Lighting– The sun is behind the subjectThe sun is behind the subject

Front LightingFront Lighting

Best time to get a blue sky in the Best time to get a blue sky in the backgroundbackground

Minimal shadowsMinimal shadows– Less depthLess depth– Details are washed outDetails are washed out

Ensure your shadow is not in the photo, Ensure your shadow is not in the photo, unless you want it to beunless you want it to be

Side LightingSide Lighting

Makes the photo look more three Makes the photo look more three dimensionaldimensional

Brings out textureBrings out texture

Side LightingSide Lighting

Side LightingSide Lighting

Back LightingBack Lighting

Can achieve spectacular resultsCan achieve spectacular results

Subject surrounded by a light coronaSubject surrounded by a light corona

More difficult to get a great photoMore difficult to get a great photo– Sun flareSun flare– Difficult exposureDifficult exposure

Translucent SubjectsTranslucent Subjects

Back lighting a translucent subjectBack lighting a translucent subject– Brings out details that might otherwise be Brings out details that might otherwise be

hiddenhidden

ShadowsShadows

Can add a dramatic effectCan add a dramatic effect

Unintentional self portraits can be a bonus Unintentional self portraits can be a bonus or a unpleasant distractionor a unpleasant distraction

Experiment with SunlightExperiment with Sunlight

Photograph a building or a plant at various Photograph a building or a plant at various times a day and compare the resultstimes a day and compare the results

Take a portrait on a cloudy day and a clear Take a portrait on a cloudy day and a clear dayday

Take a landscape portrait at various times Take a landscape portrait at various times a daya day

Use Black & White photography as you Use Black & White photography as you experiment, it refine your use of Sunlightexperiment, it refine your use of Sunlight