How to use Natural Light with Photography
When it comes to being a photographer, you will find that the weather can be your best friend or your worst
enemy.
You will find that it is impossible to control the weather to have idea conditions all the time for your
shootings, however, you can make the most of what you got.
When it comes to a sunny, rainy, or even cloudy day, you can still use the landscape to create beautiful
shots.
The golden hours are two hours in a day that are very good for photographers. These two hours occur right after
sunrise and right before sunset and are generally longer in the summer and shorter in the winter.
You, may be wondering why these two hours are known as the best for great shots, however, during the early
morning and late afternoon, the sun is positioned for dramatic lighting, but will not create harsh shadows or
blazes of light, especially when shooting with people.
You may have noticed that if you take a subject outside to shoot a little bit before noon one of the three
possibilities. First, your subject trying not to squint into the sun could ruin your picture. Second, your subject
is too dark because they are standing with their back to the sun, creating a silhouette effect.
Lastly, your subject’s face and features look distorted because standing with the sun at one side creates
awkward shadows. None of the options can product a good produce a good photograph.
During the noontime hour, all the shadows will totally disappear, giving the picture a flat appearance. Sunrise
and sunset provide just the right kind of lighting and shadows, and also a beautiful photographic opportunity in
many cases, since the colors are so beautiful in the sky.
When it comes to a cloudy day or overcast, you can still get some great pictures. The clouds in the sky diffuse
the light so that the subject is illuminated with natural light, but the harsh shadows are gone. You will want to
use a flash if the pictures look to flat, but you may also want to shoot in black and white, instead of color.
Black and white photography works very well on overcast days when the colors would look washed out.
For all those rainy days you may not realize, but you can still get some shots. Rain will add an interesting
element to the image and you will still be able get to a good picture. However, you will find that the wet ground
will make you want to protect your equipment from water.
You will also want to consider bringing some other people to hold the umbrellas or carry the bags so that they
do not have to be placed on the ground. You will also want to consider getting all your shots and use the rain to
make a great and stunning effect on the pictures. However, you will want to make sure that you try your hardest to
keep an positive attitude so that you can get some great shots
|