How do I make my photos look like these?

[Joanstone]

I guess what I was really asking, was as a whole is there something that stands out that I'm lacking. (i.e. exposure is usually off- composition is generally weak) Do you know what I mean? But I'll go through and post 2 photos I like best, and 2 I like least of mine and ask for comments. I appreciate the help!

 

[Joanstone]

Is that bad?

 

[paigew]

I looked at all the sites you linked and I see pretty much "clean edits". No real style. I like clean edits too. I also looked at your blog and I do think in this case you just need to edit differently. Your photos are very washed out or 'matte'. Try adding more contrast, especially in the tone curve. Bump up those highlights and deepen the shadows. I am happy to edit one or two pics to show you. Pm me if you are interested.

 

[orljustin]

I think when I call myself a natural light photographer- I *really* mean a photographer who prefers to use natural light mostly- and not 100% studio lighting.

No, it means you are the type of person who bought a camera and thinks shooting in whatever light is "naturally" available makes for good, professional pictures. As you said, you have some kind of speedlight you don't know how to use.

 

[amolitor]

Unfortunately, "natural light" is a triggering phrase on TPF, inciting the ire of a small but vocal group of people who have sort of learned how to use flashes.

A much larger group will not get angry, but will explain that "natural light" to make good pictures is substantially harder than using flashes. So, you may wind up feeling rather under fire if you say "natural light" in these parts.

 

[sm4him]

I think it's the clarity and "pop" yet the softness at the same time that I would assume was done in post processing? It definitely mostly is their lighting- but I always wonder how wedding photographers get their lighting so perfect since they can't really control the situation.

Ah, but that's exactly what tirediron was saying--experienced wedding photographers (and other experienced photographers) CAN "control the situation." No, they can't control whether it is sunny, or cloudy or rainy or indoors for the wedding, but they CAN control the lighting, because they understand HOW. The reason that the phrase "natural light photographer" often triggers a reaction around here is because it is *usually* a euphemism for "I don't understand how to actually CONTROL my lighting situation by using off-camera flash, reflectors, diffusers, etc so I just shoot outdoors in the light and hope for the best."

That Strobist site tirediron mentions is a really great place to start. Another good source might be the book "Light Science and Magic." Once you've gotten more of a handle on controlling the light in your photos, you're likely to no longer call yourself a "natural light" photographer. Understanding lighting and being comfortable with when and how to use flash, diffusers, reflectors, etc doesn't mean you HAVE to do "studio lighting"--it just means you know how to make whatever light there is work for you.

 

[kathyt]

If I were you I would stop looking at other photographers work for one month, and focus solely on your own. Look at how you are shooting, lighting, editing, and then change up some of these things to see what you can do to get a different results. Maybe for one week use a reflector. Then the next week shoot only later in the day etc with the reflector. There is no "one" thing these photographers are doing that you are not. It is a combination of things. You will soon start to see that changing only a couple of variables will yield many different results.

 

[AnnieHuley]

If I were you I would stop looking at other photographers work for one month, and focus solely on your own. Look at how you are shooting, lighting, editing, and then change up some of these things to see what you can do to get a different results. Maybe for one week use a reflector. Then the next week shoot only later in the day etc with the reflector. There is no "one" thing these photographers are doing that you are not. It is a combination of things. You will soon start to see that changing only a couple of variables will yield many different results.

Best advice I have heard in a long time!