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