The inherent unpredictability of natural light presents both unique challenges and exciting opportunities for photographers. Throughout my photographic journey, I have consistently gravitated towards natural light as its dynamic qualities provide the means to cultivate a specific atmosphere and effectively translate my creative vision into compelling imagery.

I find the ever-changing nature of natural light both challenging and incredibly exciting. It’s like a constant puzzle to solve! From the moment I picked up a camera, I’ve been fascinated by how natural light can completely transform a scene and help me capture the exact mood I’m aiming for.I thrive on the spontaneity of working with natural light. It demands constant adaptation and forces you to think on your feet. This constant learning and adjusting makes you a more versatile and resourceful photographer in the long run.

Let’s go through some scenarios together.

SUNNY DAY

When you’re shooting with natural light, the time of day can make a huge difference in how your photos turn out.

The golden hour is a magical time, typically lasting 15 to 60 minutes after sunrise or before sunset. With the sun low in the sky, it casts a warm, soft glow that flatters human features and highlights the environment in a truly enchanting light.

The blue hour is another magical time just before sunrise or after sunset, lasting about 20 minutes. During this period, the sun dips below the horizon, and the sky transforms into a breathtaking canvas of cool blue hues. This unique lighting creates a stunning contrast when paired with the warm glow of city lights.

Around noon, the sun is at its peak (Zenith), and the light can be very strong, creating dramatic shadows. While many photographers prefer to shoot during the softer golden hours, midday can be a great time to capture images with high contrast and a more dramatic look.

If you want to capture those dreamy photos with lens flare and sun-drenched subjects, then backlight is the go-to technique. Position yourself so your subject is standing between you and the sun. Experiment with different angles to find the look you love, but a good starting point is to have the sun about 45 degrees from your subject. You can then move around to see how much sunlight you want to fill your frame.

The soft, golden light of the setting sun is ideal for taking backlit photos. Since the sun is low in the sky, it creates long, gentle shadows that add a beautiful dimension to your pictures.

Shooting in open shade is an easy way to avoid harsh midday sun.

To do this, find a large shady area, like under a tree or a building. Then, position your subject within the shade and have them face towards the sunlight.

This will soften the light and create a beautiful, even glow on their face, while still keeping those sparkling catchlights in their eyes.

WINDOW LIGHT

Window light is fantastic for portraits.

For a soft and dreamy look: Position your subject where the shadow and light meet. This creates a gentle transition between light and shadow.

For a more dramatic look with stronger contrast: Place your subject directly in the window light, and expose for the highlights.

When you’re shooting indoors with natural light, any overhead light or lamp left on, can mess with the colors in your photos because the different light sources have different “temperatures.” This can make it tricky to get the colors looking right, even when you’re editing later.

CLOUDS

While some might find overcast days limiting,it eliminates harsh shadows, making it much easier to capture even lighting.

Think of clouds as a giant diffuser, evenly spreading the sunlight that passes through. This makes cloudy days ideal for portraits, especially if you’re concerned about harsh shadows.

The only potential downside is that the lack of strong sunlight might make your subject’s eyes appear a bit less vibrant, but that could work to your favor if looking for a moody vibe. However, this can be easily remedied by adjusting the model’s head position to catch the available light and by using a reflector to bounce some light back into their face.

MODIFYING NATURAL LIGHT

Stay creative and use anything to your advantage.

There are many tools that you can use to reshape and change the type of light that falls on your subject.

Reflectors are like magic mirrors for photographers. They bounce light back onto the subject.

In portraits, they’re super helpful for softening those harsh shadows the sun can cast.

You can buy reflectors online or at a camera store, but you don’t always need to!

Think outside the box – lightly colored walls, floors, beach sand, snow (the list goes on, you get the point) can all reflect light.

It’s a simple tool that can make a big difference in your photos.

Diffusers are semi-translucent sheets that soften the sun’s strong light, making it gentle and even.

When you’re taking pictures in bright sunlight, hold this “magic sheet” between the sun and your subject. The closer the sheet is to your subject, the softer the light will look in your photos.

You can buy special diffusers online or at a camera store, but don’t worry! You can also use everyday things like a thin sheet or a piece of linen to create a similar effect.

Sunny days are the perfect time to play with shadows! I love experimenting with all sorts of things to create interesting effects.

Use anything to make shadows. Hats with tiny holes, tulle, lace, plants…the list is endless, really. The sunlight peeks through and makes cool patterns, or filters through beautifully, creating soft and dreamy shadows.

Reflecting objects. Another endless list of props of all sorts; from cd, to mirrors, silver plates, pieces of glass and so on. Use them to scatter beams of lights onto the subject and create unique patterns.

I know, it’s a cliché but, there is no wrong or right in photography.

Mastering natural light is key to taking amazing portraits. Experiment with different lighting conditions and see what kind of looks you can get, and create your own style. You’ll be surprised at how much your photography improves once you understand how to work with the sun.

William Semeraro

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Natural Light in Portrait Photography