In the last episode, I shared some advice I've gained through my years of shooting events using on and off camera flash. On this episode, we'll take all that gear away and discuss using the natural light available to you when it's there.
KEH
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Transcript
Natural light is absolutely my favorite form of light. It can be temperamental, but rewarding when using it correctly and managing the highs and lows of daylight. You even get natural light modifiers in the form of clouds. What more could you ask for?
The first example is when you're getting your detail shots. Have access to a window or can take the details outside, but not too far from where they need to be? You can get work done!
Play with the direction of light and see where light falls and where it doesn't.
One piece of kit I'd suggest you carry if you know you're aiming to use natural light is a small reflector. You can battle deep shadows and lift them. All that light you can bounce off that little reflector could enhance a portrait or detail shot in some pretty magnificent ways.
When using natural light to illuminate your subjects, whether they're your couple or their family, place them in a spot of shadow in order to protect all the detail you can in your image.
By having them under direct sunlight, you'll be setting yourself up for disaster. By placing your subjects under direct sunlight, you create harsh, overhead shadows that are unflattering. You can you lose detail in your highlights if done incorrectly. Worst of all, the experience of the guests standing under a hot sun and trying to stand still so you can take a photo is excruciating and disruptive to the enjoyment of the wedding. Please, move your subjects into a shadowed area where they can express their joy for the event while looking good too.
Remember that reflector I mentioned before? If you have the space and an assistant or second photographer working with you, it may be wise to carry a larger reflector to light your couples when shooting them alone. Like mentioned previously, you can bounce all that amazing light onto your clients if they aren't near a reflective surface like the side of a building.
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Before we get to the last tip I have for shooting with natural light, I want to ask you for a favor.
Before we get to our last tip, Please follow me on Instagram @rich_photog, that r-i-c-h-underscore-p-h-o-t-o-g
If you’d like to schedule your next portrait session or give us the honor of photographing your wedding, visit my website www.richardjnphoto.com or email katherine@richardjnphoto.com where my partner will guide you along your journey with us.
Lastly, it would mean a lot if you left a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to support what we're doing here on the podcast and get it out to more photographers who may benefit from this information. Let's get back to the show.
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The last tip I have for you, which can pretty much be applied to most of the information I share on this podcast, is to learn the different forms of natural light as seen by your camera.
Natural light comes from one source; the sun, and is typically "modified" by natural occurrences like cloud coverage or clear blue skies. That light can be direct. It can be diffused by clouds. It can be cut by physical objects like trees and buildings. Learn how your camera sees this information and interprets it for you. Eventually, you will learn how well a face looks when faced directly at the light or away from it. You'll learn how to compose a scene to hide or use a natural background to emphasize your subjects.
Like I tell my daughter and I'll be telling my son, it's all the practice that'll make you a master at whatever you're setting your energy on.
Thank you so much for listening.
Don’t forget to keep creating, stay humble, and enjoy the journey. Catch you later.