If you have ever wanted to take a lovely portrait but have been frustrated with the process and results, here's some good news. In this article I am going to explain exactly what you need to do to create stunning looking portraits. Consider this an express version of the essential guide to portrait photography.
If window light were so good why doesn't everyone use it? Well, the answer to that is that they do not know how. Many enthusiast photographers don't work with the light properly. They simply do not know how.
Many photographers don't actually use the light from the window to illuminate the subjects face or eyes. Instead they photograph the subject side on or with the window light from behind. This method will not work and you will be quickly disappointed with the results.
The simple answer is they do not understand light. The difference between an enthusiast photographer and a professional photographer is a solid, and very deep understanding, of light. If you are an enthusiast, and you have struggled with photography, don't feel bad.
Window light is one of the most beautiful types of light for portraits. So if window light were so good why doesn't everyone use it? Well, the answer to that is that they really haven't examined light or understood it. Many enthusiast photographers don't work with the light properly. They simply do not know how.
The way to do a custom white balance is as follows: Take your light meter and place it on the persons face. Face the light meter towards the window light with the invercone extended. Now press the side button and take a reading. Make sure the light meter and the camera have the same settings. For example if the light meter tells you that F1.4 and 1/60th of a second is ideal, and your lens is unable to go to F1.4 then you may not use the setting. Move your light meters dial to the aperture you want to shoot at. It will then give you a reading you will able to set on your camera.
The best light for portraiture is lovely soft light. This is why window light works nicely to bring out the features of a persons face and eyes. The light softens and the bright areas even out and will not create hard shadows. This is because the light is not very bright. This kind of soft light generally looks a lot nicer. Light also has a colour hue. This is called a colour temperature. Have you ever noticed on some days the light looks a little bluer than other times? And have you ever noticed that at around dusk the light looks orange and yellow? This is commonly known as temperature, or hue. This phenomenon occurs because the sun shifting across the sky at different times will bring differences in colour temperature.
The direction of light is very important too. It's good to get a window that is quite long so the majority of light comes from the person's top and side, not directly from above only. If you have too much light from above only, then shadows under the nose and the eyes may occur. To avoid this, try and find a window that is quite large. This will help disperse the light evenly.
Window light can help soften shadows and provide a nice direction, as long as the window light comes from the person's top and side, not directly from above. If you have too much light from above, this is when shadows under the nose and the eyes may occur. To stop this from happening (or reduce it) , try and find a large window. This will help throw light on the persons face quite evenly.
If you place your subject too close to the window you may see more contrast on the persons face. If you want softer light and less shadows, move them away from the window. This will even out the light across their face, but darken the overall exposure of the image. Simply adjust this by increasing your ISO.
When shooting a portrait using window light think about the emotion that the light has on the overall image. A nice, diffused window light can often create an endearing affect. This works really well for weddings especially. Alternatively if you want to create something dramatic, try a different direction and quality of light. You might try side lighting instead. That's another topic for another time.
Window light is a great light source for portraits if you have no other professional lighting set up. Find the right position before shooting, and then employ the use of a good tripod. Before you press the shutter button carefully examine the quality, contrast, temperature and direction of this light. Work with light in this way also you look at all the very subtle aspects of your portrait. Once you look at portrait photography this way your photos will never be disappointing. In fact you will know the technical secrets to stunning portraiture.
If window light were so good why doesn't everyone use it? Well, the answer to that is that they do not know how. Many enthusiast photographers don't work with the light properly. They simply do not know how.
Many photographers don't actually use the light from the window to illuminate the subjects face or eyes. Instead they photograph the subject side on or with the window light from behind. This method will not work and you will be quickly disappointed with the results.
The simple answer is they do not understand light. The difference between an enthusiast photographer and a professional photographer is a solid, and very deep understanding, of light. If you are an enthusiast, and you have struggled with photography, don't feel bad.
Window light is one of the most beautiful types of light for portraits. So if window light were so good why doesn't everyone use it? Well, the answer to that is that they really haven't examined light or understood it. Many enthusiast photographers don't work with the light properly. They simply do not know how.
The way to do a custom white balance is as follows: Take your light meter and place it on the persons face. Face the light meter towards the window light with the invercone extended. Now press the side button and take a reading. Make sure the light meter and the camera have the same settings. For example if the light meter tells you that F1.4 and 1/60th of a second is ideal, and your lens is unable to go to F1.4 then you may not use the setting. Move your light meters dial to the aperture you want to shoot at. It will then give you a reading you will able to set on your camera.
The best light for portraiture is lovely soft light. This is why window light works nicely to bring out the features of a persons face and eyes. The light softens and the bright areas even out and will not create hard shadows. This is because the light is not very bright. This kind of soft light generally looks a lot nicer. Light also has a colour hue. This is called a colour temperature. Have you ever noticed on some days the light looks a little bluer than other times? And have you ever noticed that at around dusk the light looks orange and yellow? This is commonly known as temperature, or hue. This phenomenon occurs because the sun shifting across the sky at different times will bring differences in colour temperature.
The direction of light is very important too. It's good to get a window that is quite long so the majority of light comes from the person's top and side, not directly from above only. If you have too much light from above only, then shadows under the nose and the eyes may occur. To avoid this, try and find a window that is quite large. This will help disperse the light evenly.
Window light can help soften shadows and provide a nice direction, as long as the window light comes from the person's top and side, not directly from above. If you have too much light from above, this is when shadows under the nose and the eyes may occur. To stop this from happening (or reduce it) , try and find a large window. This will help throw light on the persons face quite evenly.
If you place your subject too close to the window you may see more contrast on the persons face. If you want softer light and less shadows, move them away from the window. This will even out the light across their face, but darken the overall exposure of the image. Simply adjust this by increasing your ISO.
When shooting a portrait using window light think about the emotion that the light has on the overall image. A nice, diffused window light can often create an endearing affect. This works really well for weddings especially. Alternatively if you want to create something dramatic, try a different direction and quality of light. You might try side lighting instead. That's another topic for another time.
Window light is a great light source for portraits if you have no other professional lighting set up. Find the right position before shooting, and then employ the use of a good tripod. Before you press the shutter button carefully examine the quality, contrast, temperature and direction of this light. Work with light in this way also you look at all the very subtle aspects of your portrait. Once you look at portrait photography this way your photos will never be disappointing. In fact you will know the technical secrets to stunning portraiture.
About the Author:
Amy Renfrey is a professional photography teacher. She shows you how to take stunning photos every single time, even if you have never used a digital camera before. Click here to discover/ how to take beautiful photos every time you press the shutter button.
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