Using Natural Light To Take Studio Quality Images
There’s a lot to be said about a fully equipped photo studio, filled to the brim with expensive lights and equipment just waiting to be applied to some artistic task. Unfortunately, most people who love photography as a hobby, don’t have the budget to spend money on a professional lighting equipment setup. If you’re only shooting pictures as a hobby, there is really no good reason to spend money on lighting equipment that you won’t regularly use. If you want to create studio quality images without buying a lot of expensive equipment, here are some tips you can use to get great results.
Get Out Your Paint Brush
Whenever you go to shoot, always remember that all surfaces either reflect or absorb light so keep this in mind especially when designing a room for taking pictures. If you know you’re not able to add a bunch of lights to a room, try painting the entire thing white (even the floor, if possible). The white walls will help to bounce the light around for a more even tone.
Make Your Own Reflectors
If you want to create soft and even light, you need to learn how to “bounce” the light off of the umbrellas or reflectors for the best results. Though this is hard to do without a few different light sources, you can mimic the effect by making your own reflectors to use when you shoot. A white sheet, large piece of poster board, or even some Styrofoam from a construction site can do wonders in this role, and will help to soften the shadows created when you only have one main light source (like the sun).
Create Your Own Backdrops
You may not be able to have a large selection of photo backdrops like in a professional studio, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun creating one of your own. You can use bed sheets for basic colors and then if you want to get creative you can always use paint to create a pattern or add color. If you hang these backdrops opposite a large window (or garage door opening), you’ll get the same effects as using a fill light pointed at them.
Know How to Use Your Flash
Direct flash can often make an image look shallow and cause harsh shadows, but when used correctly you will find it a great resource. Focus on bouncing it off surfaces around your subject whenever possible, and only use it to fill in the shadows from the front. One good way to think about using flash, is that if the image doesn’t look like it needs a flash, that’s a good time to use one for additional fill lighting.
Watch Your Time
The brightness and quality of the light will change depending upon the time of day. If you set up a backdrop facing the clear, early morning light, then use one of your homemade reflectors to soften the shadows and you’ll be surprised at how professional the final image looks. You should practice taking pictures at different times of the day so you know when the lighting is at its best, then schedule your sessions for these exact times so you can get the best possible lighting.
Don’t forget that studio lights are designed to simulate natural light as this is the type of lighting that is the most appealing. If you know how to harness this light and make it work for you, there’s absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t be able to generate images that compete with those created in the most expensive studio in town. All it takes is a bit of creativity and the will to make it work, and you can have your own makeshift studio in no time at all. Really, the tools that you use to get studio lighting doesn’t matter as long as you get the quality results that you want.
About the Author
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames. Your Picture Frames offers a wide variety of beautiful gold leaf silver picture frames and silver leaf picture frames so you’ll be sure to find a frame that you’ll love. Shop online and see our selection of wooden silver leaf picture frames or call 1-800-780-0699.
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