How can I make the best use of natural light when shooting outdoors? Natural light is the most beautiful and unpredictable light. In this article, learn about the characteristics of natural light and gain practical tips for optimal use of light at different times of the day.
Hello everyone! 😊 If you're a photography enthusiast, you've probably tried taking photos outdoors at least once. I remember thinking the sun would shine brightly, but I was so shocked when the photos turned out too dark or had strong shadows. Honestly, it's not as controlled as a studio, so it's quite difficult to get great photos outdoors. However, if you understand the characteristics of natural light and keep a few tips in mind, you can achieve truly magical results. Today, I'll be sharing with you some tips on how to utilize natural light, something I've learned through personal experience!
The moment light turns golden: Golden hour and blue hour ✨
The most important thing in outdoor photography is knowing the "time zone." There are two times of day that photographers especially love: the golden hour and the blue hour. Just by targeting these times, ordinary photos can become extraordinary.
- Golden Hour: This refers to the approximately one hour between sunrise and sunset. As the name suggests, the light turns golden, and shadows become long and soft. When you take portraits, the skin tones come out so beautifully that it almost looks like a filter has been applied.
- Blue Hour: This is the short period of time after the sun has completely set or just before it rises. The sky is a deep blue, and when combined with the city lights, it creates a dreamy atmosphere. It's especially effective for nighttime photos or silhouettes.
Making the direction of natural light your way 🧭
The feel of a photo changes 180 degrees depending on the direction of the light. Depending on how you use the light, a photo can appear three-dimensional or flat. Let's find out what effect different light directions have.
| Direction of light | Features and Effects |
|---|---|
| Sungwang (front) | The entire subject The lighting is even and the colors are vivid. However, it lacks depth, and people may squint. |
| Backlight (behind) | The subject's outline appears bright, making it great for creating silhouettes or a dramatic feel. A fill light or reflector is essential! |
| Meter (side) | Create contrast and depth to your subject, maximizing the sense of depth. This is useful when you want to express a person's emotions or emphasize texture. |
When taking backlit photos, the person's face may come out dark, so use a reflector to reflect the light or use the exposure compensation function!
How to Use the Bright Midday Sun Wisely ☀️
Many people think they should avoid the bright midday sun, but surprisingly, if you utilize it well, you can take unique and stunning photos. In my experience, the key here is to use shadows effectively.
- Use shadows instead of avoiding them: Look for shadowy spots, such as under the shade of trees or next to buildings. The dramatic contrast between sunlight and shadows adds an interesting element to your photos.
- Impressive backlighting: Try positioning your subject with their back to the midday sun. The silhouette created by the strong backlighting creates an artistic feel in itself.
- Use props as diffusers: Using a parasol or thin cloth can gently diffuse the light and weaken the shadows cast on your subject.
If you find it difficult to use daylight, experimenting with different options like these is much more helpful than avoiding outdoor photography. Rather than avoiding the problem, try being creative. A feeling of unraveling, perhaps? 😉
Example: Tips for taking portraits in midday sunlight 📝
- Try placing your subject next to a tall building so that the sunlight hits only one side. You can achieve a three-dimensional portrait with the sidelight effect.
- Put a hat on your subject to prevent direct sunlight from hitting their face. This will prevent them from squinting, and the shadows will create a mysterious atmosphere.
- In a park with lots of trees, you can use the light filtering through the leaves to create the effect of "light drops" falling on your subject's face.
Cloudy days are actually opportunities! ☁️
Don't be discouraged by cloudy weather. In fact, cloudy days can be the perfect time to take advantage of natural light. Clouds act like giant diffusers, softening and evenly distributing light. In portraits, this allows for flawless, clear skin tones and less worry about shadows. Landscape photos also benefit from rich color without excessive highlights.
Key Points for Natural Light Photography
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Natural light can be incredibly unpredictable, but it also offers unexpected beauty. I hope you'll use the tips I shared today to create many of your own amazing "life shots." If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave a comment! 😊
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