How to use natural light to shoot fashion portraits

Lead: In this issue, we translated an English course of photographer Dani Diamond. He talked about some matters needing attention in using natural light sources and some places suitable for natural light sources. Come and have a look!

Your mother never taught you anything about natural light.

When shooting portraits with natural light, one key factor is often overlooked. Paying attention to this factor is much more important than strictly limiting yourself to shoot only during the prime time of the day (sunrise/sunset). Before studying how to take amazing natural light photos, it is more important to understand and be familiar with the difference between using flash and natural light.

What is the biggest difference between using a flash and using a natural light source (sunlight)? Directional light source? . Directional light source refers to a powerful light source emitted from a specific angle, which is usually called focus light. It plays an important role in portrait photography, because it gives the skin a three-dimensional sense and also highlights a certain feature of the model. If there is no directional light source, the model's skin and facial features will appear flat and dim. Sunlight is usually regarded as a directional light source, but it will be very direct and intense most of the day, causing ugly shadows. When using artificial light source, the photographer can use soft light equipment to illuminate the skin in a specific area of the model to achieve a three-dimensional soft effect.

Contrary to what many people think, although the sun is strongest at noon, when you realize the concept of directional light source, you can often find it at any time of the day. Of course it won't appear in cornfields or parks, but you can imagine more possibilities. Personally, when I walk down the street looking for the best shooting location, I will focus on finding soft and directional light. Alleys are an example. Although they look gloomy and will not be an attractive shooting location, the light at both ends of the alley is actually very soft. You can let the model stand in the shadow of the alley entrance and shoot with her face facing the entrance.

Another skill, as important as finding soft directional light, is to find one that can block the light from one side? Wall? . This? Wall? It can be near any building. We need to create a shadow on one side of the model's face to deepen the depth of light. This is the same as holding a blackboard next to the model when shooting with a flash. It deepens the shadows on the face and sides of the model. Shadow is very important because it can highlight the light source on the other side and bring more three-dimensional sense.

Here are some examples of my personal favorite places. They all have one thing in common: the light comes from one or two narrow directions, and it is easy to use the surrounding objects to create shadows for the subject.

It's always possible on the porch. The effect of the gate is close to a huge soft box.

This photo was taken on Lincoln Road in South Miami Beach.

Alleys or narrow streets with tall buildings and underground passages have excellent effects on light sources. Because the light at the other end can illuminate the back of the subject. This picture is an example.

The tips mentioned above are very important. I won't even open the mirror cover until I find my favorite light source.