3 key points on daylighting.

There are three essential characteristics regarding lighting that every photographer should know and handle in depth: intensity, color, and direction.

It's true that with the wide range of accessories like softboxes, umbrellas, reflectors, and so on, an essential element like natural light has been somewhat neglected. But it's important to point out that if we're looking for naturalness and a polished, aesthetically pleasing look in our photography, we have to start working with natural light.

Today we will talk about several basic aspects of natural light that we need to know if we want to start working with it.

The Color

The color of light is one of the basic differences between artificial light and natural light; the temperature of the light makes it warmer or cooler depending on the time of day.

In contrast, artificial light is always white and will be much easier for our camera to interpret.

To ensure the camera accurately interprets natural light, there are different white balance modes: sunny, shade, and fluorescent. Keep in mind that elements in the scene can act as color reflectors, making it more difficult to achieve a correct white balance.

What to do to mitigate these problems:

– Shoot in RAW, that way you can correct the photograph without fear of losing quality.

– Use gray cards to achieve a correct white balance.

You should always remember that the color of natural light is not perfect white, and that it varies throughout the day. You can experiment with the color of the light or try to adjust your camera to make a certain interpretation, but it is always something you should keep in mind.

The Management

As expected, the direction of the light changes with the sun. Furthermore, it's impossible to manipulate; you would have to change the position of the object or person being photographed to adjust the scene to your liking.

It is necessary to recognize where the light comes from and how it acts on objects, in order to find the ideal place to position them.

A few tips for working with the direction of light:

– Try to avoid direct sunlight on the face of the person you are photographing, as this will create harsh shadows.

– If you have a reflector or flash, try to position the sun behind the object or person being photographed, and try to illuminate the face with the accessories, avoiding making it dark.

– You can also position the sun slightly behind you, but without it being fully in the frame. This will create flares, which can be very decorative.

The intensity of the light

This is another key factor; we can't control it as we please. If the sun is very high or shines directly on the subject, it will create harsh shadows that will need to be filled in.

Cloudy days are better for certain photographs because the clouds act as diffusers, making the light softer and more diffused. Even so, on cloudy days you may need shaded areas to take the photos.

It's important that you work with different intensities and experiment with them; this way you'll begin to understand the possibilities of working with natural light.

Working with natural light isn't easy, but if you have the time, you can try working with it at different times and in different directions to see all the possibilities it offers.

Remember

If you need to ask us a question or want to get in touch with us, you can do so by phone: 965 46 18 62; through our contact form or directly in our physical shop, we will be happy to help you.