let there be {natural} light!

**The following article was written by guest contributor, Emily Powers.**

We’ve largely abandoned the simple, the natural, in favor of the fabricated and complex.

Certainly, some extraordinary advances have been made, but at what cost? Have we lost pieces of our humanity in the process?

Photography is a refreshing deviant from the post-modern fabricated norm; it’s an art form that captures reality. We’re surrounded by beauty; it’s all around us waiting to be painted with light as our index finger nudges the shutter. Natural light photography, sometimes called available or existing light photography, produces pictures that are dramatic, creative and real. Even the most skillfully lighted flash images look artificial next to a photograph that utilizes available light. Carrie Latet said, “A photograph is a memory in the raw.” Perhaps, these raw memories are most perfect when their beauty is captured a la natural. You don’t need fancy, synthetic, lighting tools; let there be natural light!

Turn off your flash. The indiscriminate blast of flash destroys the intimate mood of existing light. Available light photography produces images that look natural and allow greater freedom of movement and subject distance. With a fast lens (at least f/2.8), a tripod and increased ISO, you can shoot high quality images in most low light situations without resorting to flash.

Frontlighting is when the existing light is at the back of the photographer.  Just like overcast lighting available on cloudy days, frontlight provides balanced even illumination. Low-angled frontlight, available in the early morning or early evening, is particularly warm and flattering. Sidelighting can be challenging because of the contrast between highlights and shadows, but it gives a three-dimensional effect to an image and emphasizes texture. Interesting effects can be achieved by changing the angle of the light falling on your subject. Backlighting is when natural light is coming directly at the camera; the light is behind the subject. Dramatic, striking and surprising effects like silhouettes and lens flare are achieved with backlight.

Catch light in your subject’s eyes. In portrait photography, catchlights are highlights in the eyes of your subject; without them eyes often look dark and dead. Natural light catchlights come in all different shapes and sizes, depending on the reflection of the light source. Observe how light falls across the face of your subject and experiment with catchlights; you will find that mischievous sparkle adds life and spirit to the entire image.

Study light. Begin to notice light everywhere.  The color, direction, quantity and quality of light are an integral part of your exposure and composition. As you begin to investigate natural light photography, take a lot of photos. Practice may not make perfect, but it certainly leads to improvement! Capture images at various times of the day in different weather conditions. Try frontlighting, sidelighting and backlighting. Turn off your flash and train your eye to look for catchlights. Remember, to master the basics first and then play with special effects and let your creativity run wild.

A caveat. Perfection is a trap. Search for the beauty in the world around you, capture the raw memories of your reality, let there be natural light, but don’t miss the moment in search of the perfect photo. It doesn’t exist. Perfectly imperfect…our photographs mirror our lives. 

I took this portrait indoors and used my flash. As you can see, the flash blanches out some areas of Addy’s skin; it also causes shiny spots, uneven tone, unsightly shadows and red-eye.

I snapped this portrait on a fall evening; the sun was sinking in the sky. The low-angled frontlight provided even illumination and Addelyne’s eyes danced and sparkled.  I stood above her and shot down into her face so that she was looking directly into the filtered light streaming through the trees behind me. My husband stood directly behind my head and entertained Addy so that she would look into my lens. When photographing children, employing an assistant is essential. They can reposition and amuse the child while you focus on capturing the moment.

LET THERE BE {NATURAL} LIGHT TIPS:

1. The soft diffused light available on cloudy days provides an ideal backdrop for beginners who want to experiment with natural light photography. You won’t have to worry about harsh direct sunlight or shadows; two conditions that can be tricky for natural light newbies. Check the 5-day forecast and schedule a photo-date for a mostly cloudy day.

2. Read Understanding Exposure. Bryan Peterson’s classic and easy-to-read pictorial manual is a great resource for all aspiring photographers who want to capture striking images. An entire section of his book is devoted to the importance of light.

3. The Internet gives us instant access to the work of natural light photographers we admire. Study their images; ask yourself, “How did they do that?” Find out what tools they use and recommend, read their blogs for tips and tricks, and integrate what works for them into what works for you. For starters, check out Tara Whitney, Jesh De Rox, The Image is Found, Jessica Claire, Shannon Sewelll, Jackie Cooper, and Jinky Art.