1. Find it
To make the most of natural light, it's very important to be aware of where the natural light is in your home as well as when it's available.
2. Indirect light vs. Direct light
Perhaps the BEST aspect of natural light indoors occurs when the sun isn't shining directly in the windows, but is instead providing indirect natural light. Indirect natural light provides you with a well-lit area that doesn't have the strong shadows, or contrast, of direct light. (You can use lightweight or sheer curtains or blinds to help filter direct light to achieve the same effect.)
3. Use Natural Light Sources to your Advantage
Windows and doors (storm doors or French doors, for instance) are great sources of natural light. Your position and the placement of your subjects in relation to the natural light source makes a big difference as well.
If the subject is facing the window or door while the photographer is with his/her back to the window you will create catchlights in the subject's eyes.
Catchlights are highlights in the eyes of a subject, and in this case the catchlights will look like the light source (window or door) because that is what the eyes are reflecting.
The challenge: take advantage of your windows this week!
You can use any type of camera this week, but please try to take
these photos without a flash.
Choose one or all of the following options for taking your photos:
1. Position your subject in direct light and then reposition your subject in
indirect, or filtered, light.
2. Capture catchlights - have your subject face the window while you're sitting or standing with your back to the window.
3. Position your subject so that he/she/it is parallel to the window, while you are perpendicular to the window.
4. For those with SLRs or digiSLRs: If you can adjust the exposure meter on your camera, try metering on the background light vs. metering on your subject and
setting the exposure for your subject. Also note that you could use a wall in the room or the floor to set your exposure meter.
I didn't get a chance to take as many photos as I wanted this week. Here's a few with pretty good catchlights. My daughter was facing our window in the late afternoon. As you can see, she wasn't really in the mood to help me out and be my practice subject. :) But you get the idea, right?
To learn more about taking photos indoors and taking advantage of natural light click here and scroll down to lesson 6.
20 comments:
Those are wonderful shots and great practice
Looks like you did a great job with this week's lesson - those are some lovely catchlights!
You did a great job!
I love those chocolate brown eyes. And that smirk!
What beautiful brown eyes she has!
You did a great job catching those lights!
What 'tude in these! Great catchlights! I'm actually digging the last one a lot. GReat pics to scrapbook about this time of her life. :)
You did great!
Great job on the challenge!
Great lesson - beautiful model - and great catchlights! :)
I think you are doing great! Those are super catch lights. And it is difficult to get catch lights in brown eyes sometimes too. You are doing amazing. Good luck on your journey.
You got fabulous catchlights!
Good job finding that light--great catchlights. She looks a lot like you!
LOL lov her expression in the last one!
She is so cute and the natural light is beautiful. I love that look on her face in the last shot.
Good practice, I especially like the lighting in the first two. :)
Thanks for sharing the lesson info. I love your 3rd photo down; her expression and the catchlights are wonderful!
Love the smirky faces. Too funny. I love natural light, good luck learning more about it!
I learned so much from these last year. Hope you're liking it.
Wonderful shots, Rachel. I love the catchlights - your DD has beautiful eyes.
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