Using Natural Light for Photography Enthusiasts 

In this blog Dallas Photographer, Rick Porier goes over one of the most important things you need to know for taking great photos and gives you some great tips on how to take great photos on your own. Lighting is one of the most crucial aspects of photography and one of the hardest to master. It can take years or even decades to truly master lighting.

So, what if you are not a professional photographer and want to just do it yourself?

Well, to get the perfect shot, it is important to understand the best time to take outdoor photos or when to use the natural light coming through windows to get great photos indoors. In this blog, we will discuss the optimal times to take photos and the factors that affect the quality of the photos you are going to take.

The Golden Hour

The golden hour is widely considered the best time to take outdoor photos. It occurs during the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset when the sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden light on the landscape. During this time, the light is softer and warmer, creating a more pleasing effect on the subject. This light also creates longer shadows, adding depth and texture to the scene. The golden hour is perfect for landscape, portrait, and wildlife photography.

The golden hour is the most flattering and forgiving natural light you are going to find. If you are not a professional photographer with professional photography equipment and lighting and you want to do your own photography, then this is when you want to do it, if possible.

Posing During the Golden Hour

For ladies you want to have them turn their bodies away from the sun and then turn their face back towards the sun. This will give a beautiful and flattering light to their face and contour and shape to the body.

For gentlemen, you want the face to be at between 45 to 90 degrees from the direction of the sun. This will add decision and drama to the face.

Avoid having your subjects back to the sun unless you have a flash or strobe to light the front of your subject. This is a more advanced technique requiring you to set the exposure of your camera for environment and then use lighting to balance the exposure of your subject to the exposure of the environment.

The Blue Hour

The blue hour is the period of twilight before sunrise and after sunset when the sky takes on a deep blue color. This time of day is ideal for capturing stunning cityscapes, architectural photography, and long exposures. The blue hour is also perfect for capturing the last remnants of light before the sky becomes too dark for photography.

The blue hour makes things easy, but you won’t have long to get your shot. When I am shooting the blue hour, I am always amazed at how fast the light goes. Shooting in manual as most professional photographers do, you must constantly readjust your exposure after every few shoots.

If you are using your cell phone camera or consumer camera on auto, you can get some great shots. Just make it quick because the quality of the photos will decrease with each minute that passes.

Posing During The Blue Hour

This one is simple just point your subject towards where the sun has set or where it will rise, and you should get some great shots with nice cool tones.

Mid-Day

Mid-day photography is often avoided by photographers due to the harsh, direct light of the sun, which can create harsh shadows and overexposed areas in the photo. Unless you are an experienced professional photographer avoid shooting outside during mid-day.

Shooting photos of people outside during mid-day requires strobes powerful enough to overpower the sun and knowledge and experience of how to use them.

If you absolutely must shoot outside during this time, then you want to take your subject into a shaded area. Be aware of the shadows that are cast on your subject, especially the face.

Overcast Days

Overcast days may not seem like the best time for outdoor photography, but they can offer a unique opportunity for capturing moody and atmospheric images. The clouds act as a giant softbox, creating even lighting throughout the scene, and diffusing harsh sunlight, making it an ideal time for portrait photography. Overcast days can also be great for capturing vibrant colors in nature, as they make the colors appear more saturated and vivid.

For the photography enthusiast wanting to do-it-yourself. Overcast days will make your job much easier. You will have cooler color tones in your images. If you want to warm your images up or add more contrast you can use apps like the Lightroom Mobile App to add some warmth and clean up skin blemishes.

Posing for Overcast Days

The posing is still the same as it is for the blue hour. Unless it is really overcast then you are still going to have a direction of light but, it will be very subtle. Look closely are your photos and see where you have shadows on the face and move the face towards the direction of light if you see darkening under the eyes. Nobody wants raccoon eyes in their photos.

Factors that Affect Outdoor Photography

Aside from the time of day, several other factors can affect the quality of outdoor photography. These include the weather, location, and equipment.

Weather: Different weather conditions can create unique photographic opportunities. For example, stormy weather can create dramatic skies, and fog can add a sense of mystery to a landscape.

Location: Choosing the right location is crucial for outdoor photography. Scouting the location beforehand can help you find the best angles, lighting, and composition for your shot.

Equipment: Having the right equipment is essential for capturing high-quality outdoor photos. A good camera and lens, tripod, and filters can make a significant difference in the quality of your images.

Using Natural Light Indoors

Let’s say it is mid-day and you know the lighting isn’t the best outside for taking photos of people. That would be a great time to take things indoors if you can. Natural light coming through a window can be very harsh or very flattering depending on the angle of the window to the current position of the sun.

If it is mid-day you will want to find a window that on the side of the building that is not being hit directly by the sun. One way to do it that is good is to have your back to the window with the subject facing you. This will act like a giant softbox giving you very flattering light.

Posing Indoors

Have the ladies turn their body at a 45-degree angle away from the window and turn their face back towards it. For the gentlemen you will want to move 45 degrees away from the window and then have them turn to face you to create depth and interest.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the best time to take photos depends on several factors, such as the type of photography you want to capture, the weather, and location. Understanding the optimal times for photography and the factors that affect it can help you capture stunning images that showcase the beauty of subject and the environment. So, grab your camera, find the perfect location, and start shooting!

Photography Classes and Mentoring

The best camera is the one that you have. Despite all the advances in technology, photography remains a skill that takes decades to master. Especially when you are learning on your own as you go. If you are interested in learning more Dallas Photographer, Rick Porier offers one-on-one classes, group classes and in some cases mentorships. Feel free to contact us anytime for more information or with any questions you may have.

Let us know how it goes. Good luck and happy shooting. And if you feel like you need a professional, we are here to help!