Natural Lighting Question, Please Help!

[JoshBeck]

I don't have any equipment so I'll be shooting outside in natural light. I'll be doing head shots / portraits so the background isn't too important, just needs to be simple. There are plenty of interesting walls outside my house but some are in shadows, some direct sunlight depending on the time of day. What should I be aiming for as far as that goes? What light should the model be in, where should I be? thanks

 

[Samanax]

Have your subjects stand in the shadows but facing out towards the open. If you don't have any real lighting gear try to find a big piece of white cardboard or similar to use as a reflector to help direct some light onto your subjects. Make sure the subject isn't standing right up against the wall...have them stand a few feet in front of it to put it on a different focal plane so you can blur it a bit and put the focus and attention on the person.

 

[doogan]

Hello Josh:

My suggestions are:

- Stay out of the sun. Unless it's very late in the day
or very early in the morning, when the light is warm
and not really harsh. If you shoot really early or
late in the day try some shots with the sun behind your
subject. Actually you could try that technique anytime,
but it can get a bit tricky.
- You can shoot in the shade and I think you'll be quite
happy with the pics. You'll find the light is brighter depending
on which way yer facing, so try to have your subject
facing toward the light, even tho your in the shade.
- The main thing is not to have your subject partially in
the shade and partially in the sun. You also might want
to avoid shade pics when there is some dappled sun spots
on your subject.
- Try some shots in the shade with your flash.
- Experiment, go for it, good luck.

Hope this helps
-Bob
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