Photography is all about light. Light (and shadow) is the core component of all photography.
Capturing stunning photos using natural light is a romantic notion. But consistently delivering stunning photos requires a lot of work. Here’s why.
As a professional portrait photographer, I’ve realised over the years that total reliance on natural light is a gamble. Shooting outdoors with only the sun as a light source can pay off, but it’s not guaranteed.
To truly hit the jackpot of visual storytelling, natural light photography often requires a little helping hand.
I call this the myth of simplicity.
There’s a certain purity associated with natural light photography, and I get the allure.
However, the harsh truth natural light photographers don’t want you to hear is this: the sun is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Natural light changes by the minute. Ask any landscape photographer.
I sat on a hill in the Peak District a few years ago, snapping photos of the Manchester city skyline in the distance. It was incredible to witness how quickly the light changed at sunset.
The lighting conditions that evening that led to one of my favourite landscape photos to date were present for mere seconds.
So, natural light changes. As it changes, photographers who rely on natural light are left at the moment’s mercy. Without some intervention in the form of scrims and reflectors to modify this light, we risk losing the photo’s impact to shadows or overexposure.
We can balance natural light with modifiers and even fill the gaps with speedlights or portable strobes. For those moments when the sunlight isn’t behaving as intended, artificial fill offers a helping hand, adding detail in the dark.
Choosing the right time of day for natural light photography is essential. Yet, even golden hour can falter. Overcast days, while helpful in diffusing harsh light, can lead to grey and washed-out images.
Sometimes in the UK, it rains – shock, horror! A few years ago, a brand shoot for a client in the Surrey Hills was washed out during my drive to the chosen location despite a near-perfect weather forecast.
My sanctuary for photography is my studio. Here, within these four walls, I control the light.
Multiple strobes, constant light sources, reflectors, bounce, and negative fills all come together to ensure consistent lighting (and shadow) that can be fine-tuned.
This isn’t about manipulating light but releasing its potential to bring an idea to life without the limitations of nature getting in our way.
While natural light can be a beautiful photography component, its inherent unpredictability and limitations are worth noting, necessitating additional tools and techniques.
As photographers, we’re best served by taking advantage of both worlds; the beauty of natural light, skillfully enhanced with the precise control offered by artificial lighting.
If you’re planning your next headshot or portrait, consider light sources carefully. Some photographers rely entirely on natural light, which might or might not work well for you, depending on Mother Nature’s whims during the hours of your scheduled shoot.
The only way to guarantee results is to take a more pragmatic approach to lighting options, including the use of artificial light in a studio environment.
