Natural lighting tools

[emery92ax]

Hi me and my husband both have developed a good enough eye with our camera that we want to take our ability pro. But as far as proper lighting techniques we do not know and and so far the outcomes have been pretty good. But we need help. We are planning to set up a studio sessions for Easter and want to do them outside. We are using a Nikon D90 and I'm wondering if anyone can offer any and all tips? Any particular tools you think we need?

Feel free to answer in the Idiots guide to photography. I don't know many terms and pretend I know nothing.

 

[KmH]

All light is natural light, and made of the same thing - photons. The expression 'natural light' is useful for marketing purposes though.

Professional photography is most often done using supplemental lighting. Reflected, continuous and strobed lighting are used, often in the same set up.

The goal is to enhance the separation of your subjects(s) from the background so the subjects 'pop' and have shadow modeling creating depth and drama.

For most retail photography (portraiture/events/weddings) off camera lighting that has an apparent large size is used so shadows have soft looking edges that 'wrap' around a subject helping to create that 'pop' or background separation.

The modern concept of 'pop', harks to one of the oldest and most basic tenants of portraiture and the visual arts, - "Light advances, dark recedes".

The basic tool used is a reflector(s) and diffusers. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62771-REG/Westcott_3601_Illuminator_3x4_Two_Stop.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62768-REG/Westcott_3559_Illuminator_3x4_One_Stop.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._Sunbounce_C_100_110_Mini_Sun_Bounce_Kit.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/552431-REG/Impact_R184174_Reflector_Disc_Collapsible.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/253064-REG/Impact_CRK_4272_5_in_1_Collapsible_Reflector.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62750-REG/Westcott_1707_Illuminator_48x72_Diffuser.html

 

[KmH]

Location shooting involves an additional layer of complexity. The photographer has little control of the weather or the ambient light.

One outdoor technique is to put your subject(s) in open shade, using the sky as a main (key) light, and a reflector(s) or other light source(s) for fill. For this to work you will have needed to pre-scout a location(s) that will work for the time and date of the shoot, because the Sun's path and elevation in the sky varies throughout the year.

If dappled or direct sunlight is your only option, you need to diffuse the light to soften the shadows and then use main and fill lighting for the lighting effect that will be most flattering to the subject(s).
Main and fill light can be continuous, strobed, or reflected.
As usual, shadow modeling is controlled by the lighting ratio(s) used.

One of the big advantages accorded by using strobed lighting is the ability to control 2 exposure values with a single shutter release.
Because the duration of the flash of light is so short, the flash is used to stop motion (or camera shake) instead of the shutter speed.
That allows shutter speed to be used to control the ambient light exposure, at least up to the cameras strobed light x-sync speed, while the lens aperture is used to control the strobed light exposure.
(FP-sync (HSS for Canon) allows faster shutter speeds but also requires more strobed light power.)

That takes us back to 'pop', and the basic "Light advances, dark recedes" concept.

By using strobed lighting and the right lens aperture we can make our subjects brighter than the background, even in the daytime.
Being brighter the subject "advances" and the lit-by-ambient-light background can be rendered darker than the subject by using the correct shutter speed so the background "recedes". That provides excellent visual separation of the subject ('pop'), making it unmistakable the subject is the center of interest in the photograph.

Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Mount Kit B&H Photo Video

Vivitar 285HV Flash 233965 B&H Photo Video

FPBK1 Flashpoint Budget Studio Monolight Flash Basic Kit with 2 160 Watt Second Flashes, 7' Light Stands, 33" White Umbrellas & Softex Carrying Case. (The light stands are on the short side at only 7 feet. I recommend at least 8 foot light stands.)

Doing professional photography requires a lot more than just 'eye'.

Many think anyone being paid to do photography makes that someone a pro photographer.
I define a pro as someone who is an expert at their art or craft, having a solid understanding of the technical as well as the artistic considerations.

Another often overlooked aspect of having a photography business are the business skills that are needed.
Most self-employed retail photographers (both part and full-time) spend the majority of their time tending to routine business tasks, self-promotion, and marketing. Customer service and salesmanship skills are also needed.