I am sitting hear waiting to figure out whether my session today will be rescheduled because of rain. So while I’m hanging out I thought I’d share with you some tips I will be covering in my photo class tonight.
One of the most important ingredients in photography is light. There are two types of light ~ natural and artificial. I prefer to shoot using natural light. I try to avoid using my flash at all times. I think natural light is the most flattering for portraits however, it can be the trickiest to deal with because it is constantly changing. One day can be bright and sunny while the next is cloudy and overcast.
Most photographers will tell you that the best time of day to take pictures is either an hour before sunset or an hour after sunrise. The light is soft and it is in just the right place in the sky. Since getting up at the crack of dawn is not always practical, it’s good to know how to shoot in other types of light.
Although a lot of people think bright sun is perfect for taking pictures, it’s actually the opposite. Think about going into a studio for pictures. When they position the lights, is it directly over your head? No. That’s because overhead lights, just like the mid-day sun, can leave shadows under your eyes and nose. Bright sun usually leaves everyone squinting too.
When you are outdoors, head for the shade. Shade is perfect for nice, diffused light that flatters everyone. If you can, go under a tree. Once you are there, watch out for light peeking through the branches.This is called dappled light. Other places you can look for open shade is a doorway or a garage, anywhere that has an overhang to give you nice, even light.
If you have no choice but to shoot in full sun, try placing your subject with their back to the sun. This will create backlighting. The problem with backlighting is that your subject will be darker than the background. You’ll have to either use a reflector to fill in the shadows or pop up your flash. I’m sure busting out a reflector on a trip to the beach isn’t practical so try positioning your subject in front of a natural reflector like water or a white wall. If that doesn’t work, then use your flash.
Hope this helps a little the next time you are snapping away.
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