5 Tips for Creating Authentic Natural Light Family Portraits
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Video: 5 Tips for Creating Authentic Natural Light Family Portraits
Although we typically equate dramatic and dynamic portraits with flash photography, we can achieve similar results using natural light. A lack of flash does not mean we’re left to choose between shooting either silhouettes or bright and airy images. While those types of photos have their place, we have other options for shooting with natural light. In this article/video, I’m going to share five tips for creating authentic natural light family portraits.
Tip #1: It’s All About the Light
Isn’t most (if not all) of photography about the light? You’d be amazed at how big of a difference a little movement can make when it comes to placing and lighting your subjects. When scouting the location for this shoot, I found pockets of light mixed among large shaded areas under the trees, and I knew that if I placed my subjects in those pockets, then I could get just the right amount of light on them. Because of the contrast in light and dark areas, natural light can almost appear to have been created using strobes.
In the images above, you can see the difference a slight change in lighting can make, even when using natural light. In the first shot, I placed the mother and daughter into the scene and took a test shot. In case it matters to you, I used the Canon EOS-R paired with an RF 50mm f/1.2 lens. While the test…
