Introduction_to_Natural_Light
Camera * larger sensor is better, you can blur the background
Lens * Scorr prefers prime lenses, even kit lens works for a lot of wide-angle shots
24mm f/1.4 is a great wide angle lens
Go-to lens: 55m f/1.8
Fast lenses are a must (f/1.4 * f/2.8)
Reflector
Diffuser (included in 5-in-1 reflector)
Natural light advantages
Fastest workflow
Best light * often huge light sources that make beautiful photos if you find the right pockets
Cost effective
Easy to create a signature style * with a simpler workflow it’s easier to create your specific style
Artificial light should mimic natural light * so you need to understand it
Finding good light: catchlights
Catchlights are huge to know when you’re in good light.
Created when the subjects is in a darker area and looking towards a brighter area
Outdoors, created by either a reflection caused by the sun the sky
For example, a window is a great place to make a picture because it makes a catchlight
Example: subject under shadow, sunlight from behind, looking at the sky which makes the catchlight
Subject in shade, looking towards bright sky
Be obsessed with catchlights
Windows for catchlights
Principle: light contrast
Technique: subject in shadow, looking at brightness
Window
Open door
Shade should make you happy, that’s where you’ll put your subject
Use largest light sources possible.
Turn bright things (e.g., bride’s dress) away from the light.
Doors for catchlights
Sliding doors canbe opened further
In wedding it’s often a mess, so shoot up for a clean backgtound
You can use more than one light source
Using shade to your advantage
Where to find shade
Trees
Between walls or buildings
Overhangs
Archways or large openings
Low sun * the lower the sun, the more shadow it creates
In overcast weather there’s quite a bit of light from straight above which can make raccoon eyes, so make the subject look up towards the light.
You can find awesome catchlights in between walls
Shoot into the depth of a street, or turn 90 degrees and use the long sides of the street as sidelights
Sometimes the sun will light a wall on one side and put the other in the shade. So you can use the wall as reflector.
High sun both creates shade and lights up the ground
Overhangs make light more directional
Underneath a peer is beautiful light
Tunnels create great light from two sides. Move to one end so one side has stronger light than the other.
Shooting in harsh light
Problems: raccoon eyes, no catchlights, sharp shadows, subjects will squint, backgrounds are often overexposed
Use bright colors. Direct sunlight looks amazing with bright colors.
Soften the light with a reflector or diffuser.
Look for speckled shadows.
Use the sun as side light.
Shoot into the darkness.
Take a silhouette.
Focus on color in bright light, both in subject and in sunlight.
Harsh light with diffuser or reflector
A white shoot-through umbrella can work as a reflector
Let subject rotate reflector into right position
Lean subject against wall to let the wall be the reflector
Diffuser reduces hotspots and
Using shadows to your advantage
Shadows create mystery, especially in special shapes
Place eyes in hot spot (shadowless part), expose for lighest part of image
Shadows are a good way to mix up the types of photos
The sun as sidelight
Look for repetitive highlights and shadows
Combine with other natural light techniques
Shooting into darkness
Find a hotspot (where sun peeks through)
Make sure what’s behind the subject is a lot darker
Put subject in bright spot, expose for brightest part
Subjects will pop off the frame
Creating a silhouette
Your subject has to be an interesting shape
A face profile gives an interesting shape
Finding rim light
Find a bright spot on the floor, place subject’s face in that light
Determine the amount of glow with your exposure
Fill in shadows to subject’s face if it’s dark
Reflections
Place subject in good light
Find reflective surface, darker is better