Many photographers extol the value of using natural light in their pictures. Sunlight has a quality that is hard to match with artificial lights. It also exhibits an amount of power well beyond the scope of many artificial lights. However, using natural light is not as simple as simply shooting at high noon. The direction and quality of the sun can cause a face to look flat and unappealing. There are several techniques that can be used to combat this problem.
Direct Sunlight
Photographers overwhelmingly agree that shooting a subject in direct, midday sunlight creates unflattering photos. One of the best ways to shoot in natural light is to shoot at dawn or dusk when the sun is lighting up the sky, but not shining directly on the subject. There is approximately an hour before sunup and an hour after sundown when there is still a significant amount of natural light. These hours are called "magic hours" and are considered the best times for taking pictures in natural light.
Reflectors
If it is not feasible to shoot at magic hour, a second technique for using natural light is to reflect it on the subject who is in the shade. There are many reflectors made from metallic materials which are sold at photography supply stores, however a piece of white poster board or foam board can do a fine job of reflecting as well. The reflected light tends to be softer and more flattering than the harsh light from the sun.
Silks
More advanced photographers may choose to use silks to keep their subject out of direct light. A silk is a piece of cloth which diffuses the light between a source and subject. These devices are "flown" over a subject using a series of stands and frames. They can be challenging to set up, but they tend to provide an even higher quality of light than a reflector. They also tend to be significantly more expensive and require a lot more expertise to setup and use. Clouds can also act as natural silks to diffuse the light.
Flash Photography
A third technique for shooting in the midday sun is to use the sun as a strong backlight and use a flash to fill in the subject. This can create dynamic shots of the sky and allows for the most control over the exposure. However, it also limits the natural background elements that can be used. The subject must always stand with his/her back to the sun in this case.
Many photographers extol the value of using natural light in their pictures. Sunlight has a quality that is hard to match with artificial lights. It also exhibits an amount of power well beyond the scope of many artificial lights. However, using natural light is not as simple as simply shooting at high noon. The direction and quality of the sun can cause a face to look flat and unappealing. There are several techniques that can be used to combat this problem.
Direct Sunlight
Photographers overwhelmingly agree that shooting a subject in direct, midday sunlight creates unflattering photos. One of the best ways to shoot in natural light is to shoot at dawn or dusk when the sun is lighting up the sky, but not shining directly on the subject. There is approximately an hour before sunup and an hour after sundown when there is still a significant amount of natural light. These hours are called "magic hours" and are considered the best times for taking pictures in natural light.
Reflectors
If it is not feasible to shoot at magic hour, a second technique for using natural light is to reflect it on the subject who is in the shade. There are many reflectors made from metallic materials which are sold at photography supply stores, however a piece of white poster board or foam board can do a fine job of reflecting as well. The reflected light tends to be softer and more flattering than the harsh light from the sun.
Silks
More advanced photographers may choose to use silks to keep their subject out of direct light. A silk is a piece of cloth which diffuses the light between a source and subject. These devices are "flown" over a subject using a series of stands and frames. They can be challenging to set up, but they tend to provide an even higher quality of light than a reflector. They also tend to be significantly more expensive and require a lot more expertise to setup and use. Clouds can also act as natural silks to diffuse the light.
Flash Photography
A third technique for shooting in the midday sun is to use the sun as a strong backlight and use a flash to fill in the subject. This can create dynamic shots of the sky and allows for the most control over the exposure. However, it also limits the natural background elements that can be used. The subject must always stand with his/her back to the sun in this case.
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