Natural light photography

Many photographers call themselves “natural light” shooters. That sounds really good, but what exactly does it mean?

Light is an essential ingredient in photography. Without light, there would be no images. There are different kinds of light. The sun and the moon provide natural light. Constant lights used by videographers and some photographers provide a light that is always on to illuminate the subject. Strobe lighting is that that comes on for a split second at the click of the shutter then goes off. Strobe lighting is achieved by monolights and other larger strobe lights and speedlights, otherwise known as flashes.

When photographers call themselves natural light shooters, it basically means they are relying on the sun to light their subjects. The sun can be direct or reflected or can provide the needed ambient light when shooting in the shade.

Natural light photographers will rely strictly on what’s available. They may use a reflector to reflect the light in the direction they want it. Other photographers may add light when needed to enhance the scene. I am the latter type of photographer.

On one of my last shoots my subjects and myself were outside in a park in the daylight and I was using an off-camera flash to provide additional light. The subject asked me why I had this additional light when light is all around us. It’s an understandable question and one others might wonder.

Here is the answer and here is why I’m not a natural light shooter. When people being photographed are outside, it’s important that their back is to the sun. Otherwise they would be squinting into the camera, and that’s not a look anyone wants. However, when the sun is to their backs, the light on their face is somewhat diminished. That’s why I often will add some fill light with my flash – to illuminate faces. I have tried using reflectors, which is what natural light photographers might use to illuminate faces. My experience with these is that unless they are positioned exactly right, the reflection from the sun can be blinding to the subject. Plus someone needs to stand there and hold it for you exactly right. To me using a pop of fill flash is a lot easier.

I’m not going to bash natural light photographers at all. If that works for them, that’s great.

Food for thought when you decide what type of photographer you want to hire.