Lighting is one of the most vital and intricate aspects of photography. Lighting conditions can make the result of your photo exciting when they work harmoniously with the scene or subject in front of you.
Learning a few lighting basics can set you apart from many other aspiring photographers and take your photos to the next level. Learn to identify the best light source (natural or artificial) and use it to your advantage. All you need is to exercise your eye to detect the "good" light. Once you start looking for it, you will find that it is all around you.
Below we give you some tips to make good use of the available lighting for a photo shoot.
Use daylight at the right time
If you want to use natural light in your photography, it is important to understand the angle of the sun and how this will affect your composition.
A sunny cloudless day will result in sharper shadows, while a cloud-filled sky will diffuse sunlight so that the contrast of light on your subject will be less harsh.
When the sun lowers into the sky, the colors become softer and warmer. The afternoon light and sunset have a bright red and yellow color and that is why the time just after sunrise and just before sunset is also known as golden hour.
Take advantage of any weather conditions for a photoshoot
Weather conditions significantly affect the quality of natural lighting. On a cloudy day the shadows become less intense. Rain and mist can soften the light even more and make it colder.
The season also plays a role. In winter, even though the days are shorter, we actually have more light to work with. On the other hand, during the summer, the sun rises higher in the sky, so it is more vertical and less favorable for photos at noon.
Use available lighting for portraits
In indoor environments there are usually recesses with wonderful natural light, which you can use! A window offers a soft-light side reminiscent of a studio's softbox, so you can turn off any artificial lighting for a person's photoshoot.
You can also use a reflector to redirect the outside light to your subject.
The quality of the light makes a big difference in outdoor portraits. Bright sunlight does not particularly flatter the faces, because it creates intense shadows and causes frown of the subjects. Cloudy days are ideal, as soft light reduces shadows.
If the sun is bright and you cannot achieve the desired result, you can try photographing portraits in the shade of a tree or building, as the light is softer and more flattering for the faces.
Use weak lighting to your advantage in a photoshoot
At sunset, the remaining natural light acquires the cool blue color of twilight. This is a good opportunity to go out with your bike. However, because the light intensity is so low, you need a machine that performs well in weak lighting. Cameras with larger sensors have the ability to concentrate more natural light as this dwindles, especially when used in conjunction with a lens with a wide maximum aperture.
Read also the article: "Perfect your photography with the available lighting - Part 2“
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