Community Practice 10: Natural Light

[Saknika]

Natural light is something that is available to every photographer out there, and is rarely used to its greatest potential. Unfortunately, because it causes one to become a slave to it, it can be a daunting challenge to practice with and learn.

Natural light really isn’t that big of a challenge though, once you get the idea and feel for it down. The big thing to remember is when the golden hours are. The two hours after sunrise, and the two hours before sunset will give you the best quality of light, and often will yield that golden effect—hence why they are known as the Golden Hours. Generally, you want to stay away from shooting around noon, because the lighting is very harsh and not very flattering—especially if you’re photographing a person and they’re squinting at you. That’s not to say it can’t be done or that it will always look bad, but usually that is the case.

The next key to all of it is open shade—either naturally found (like in the shadow of a building) or created (with a scrim or white object like paper). You can bounce light back with a reflector or mirror (careful with the mirror though not to blind a model!) to create nice patterns of light, and with a scrim of some sort you can just tone down harsher light to create softer shadows on whatever it is you’re photographing.

Lastly, remember that you don’t have to be outside to use natural light! Windows (especially north-facing ones) yield great amounts of light into rooms, and you can use that light for photography as well! Just set up near the window and go for it. And if you have white sheers, you have a scrim all set just in case!

How this will Work:
1. Go take a photograph lit with natural light.
2. Use the following format for a post:

-A comment on the image before yours
-Your photo
-Any specs you can offer us
-Any comments about your photo you have

3. Try to create an improved photograph based off the feedback you receive.
4. Repeat step 2 (and 3) as often as desired.

Remember! This is about improvement, so we’re hoping to see two photos in this thread from all participants!

Close Date: April 30th at 11:59pm EST

And now, to get us started, here is a photo I did with natural light:

Camera: NIKON D200
Shutter Speed: 1/160 second
Aperture: F/5.6
ISO Speed: 100
Time Taken: 2:45:20 PM

[Lisa]

For me, I think the focus makes it difficult to define whether the top flower or bottom flower is the main subject (but I want to say top). I like how the middle flower is out of focus, and am thinking this shot could be improved if one of the others were as well, to make the third really stand out. As far as lighting goes, I think it is well done, although the highlights in the background are a little distracting.

My most recent natural lighting shot:

[Saknika]

I love the soft lighting on it, but the colour feels a bit muted and mushed, so it could do with a tad more contrast. The little white specs in the background are also distracting. Cropping in closer to the flower would improve it and help with that problem.

[Lisa]

Thanks for the critiquing! I see what you mean with the white being distracting, especially the one touching the poppy, anyways. I think I disagree with how you say the colors are muted, just because my initial reaction was that perhaps the orange was too overpowering..I wouldn't have guessed the opposite. (unless you were referring to the background?)


Here's a newer one. Today was cloudy, so the natural light was pretty mellow.

[Saknika]

I think I used a confusing word. Sometimes what I say and think don't make sense to others. By muted I meant that it's like a blob, the flower doesn't have a lot of definition. Like... they kind of all melted together.

The new one is MUCH better! Clouds are an excellent natural softbox, so that helps A LOT. And you still have definition in the bird, making it wonderful! I think I'd just try to crop out whatever it is on the left, because it doesn't add anything to the photo and is a bit distracting.

You did really well on this. I hope you can duplicate these results, because they are really well done!

[Lisa]

Haha, I think that happens to all of us, no worries. Now I see what you mean though. I think brighter colors might be harder to work with. (haha, possibly a future community practice? )

Thanks! ^^ Haha, it's a trash can on the left. I originally did crop it out, but thought it looked better with, just because the photo lacks any other colors or shapes. I can post the one without it if you'd like, just to compare.

[Saknika]

Apr 5, 2010 21:59:09 GMT -5 Lisa said:

Haha, it's a trash can on the left. I originally did crop it out, but thought it looked better with, just because the photo lacks any other colors or shapes. I can post the one without it if you'd like, just to compare.

Please, that'd be great.

[MarianMurdoch]

The first image is well-composed, I love how my eye travels over the image. I do think it could benefit from a bit more color pop. I know those flowers, and they are much more colorful in real life.

I absolutely love Lisa's flower, though the white spots are, as Saknika said, distracting. My biggest problem with it, however, is the disappearing stem! The flower itself is beautiful, very crisp.

The bird picture seems to be on the blue side, which can happen on overcast days. Perhaps applying a warming filter to it would help.

I'd like to see some images that are taken indoors, using only the light from a window.

[Saknika]

Hopefully tomorrow Marian, I will have a photo that uses window light for everyone to see. Just taking a bit to find the time. @_@;;;

[Lauren MKS]

Lisa - I love the second picture of the bird. It is very crisp and sharp and the contrast between the black bird and the light background works really well! Cloudy natural light is so wonderful to work with.

April's almost over, but not yet! I took a natural light picture at the beginning of the month, but it never made it to this forum. Instead, I'm posting a natural light shot from a senior portrait shoot I did this weekend. I've never effectively used natural light in this way - in fact I typically try to avoid the bright sunlight spots - but for some reason I really like it in this image.

Thoughts?