| Back in the 80's and 90's window lighting was very | | | | situation to have your subject back-lit. The |
| avant-garde and fashionable. However, then the | | | | back-lighting would result in an over-exposed |
| window was always part of the scene. The subject | | | | background and underexposed skin tones. It is best |
| was facing directly into the window or at a 45 | | | | to avoid this situation unless you want to take |
| degree angle so the light would softly illuminate the | | | | several exposures and apply a little HDR in |
| side facing the window. Reflectors were sometimes | | | | Photoshop, or you want to use flash. |
| used to fill in the shadow side. This produced a | | | | Not all interiors are suitable for natural lighting. If you |
| dramatic look. | | | | want your scene to be 100% natural light (no |
| Other than window lighting, most portrait | | | | cheating with fill flash) you will need to do test shots |
| photographers used studio lights inside a camera | | | | prior to the assignment. Also rooms that have |
| room or on location. Using natural light as the only | | | | windows facing east or west may offer too much |
| light source meant they were just starting out, were | | | | direct lighting. You can still use them; however you |
| too poor to afford lights and were not smart enough | | | | will need to be more careful where you place your |
| to figure out lighting. I know this because I was one | | | | subject. |
| of them. | | | | What you might save on lighting you will need to |
| Now fast forward to 2010. Natural light has made a | | | | spend on equipment. Generally full frame DSLR's |
| comeback, not only for newbies but for pros as well. | | | | provide higher ISO settings with the least amount of |
| Natural light is the new look for portraits for | | | | noise. The Canon 5D Mark ii is an example. Also the |
| newborns, infants, children and seniors. Now with | | | | lens will need to be a fast lens, one which opens up |
| minimal equipment almost anyone with a good | | | | to 1.2 or 1.8. A very popular lens now is the Canon |
| camera and lens can take exceptional indoor images. | | | | 50mm 1.2 lens. Also the Canon 85mm 1.8 lens is a |
| It is definitely a sought after look, so how do you nail | | | | good choice. Neither is a zoom lens, so you will need |
| it? | | | | to be move instead of the lens zooming. They are |
| First you need windows with a northern or southern | | | | very affordable and best of all, lightweight. |
| exposure. This will provide a very soft, indirect light all | | | | You may want to consider having a tripod with you |
| day long. Next you will need a room with lots of | | | | in case you need to shoot a slow shutter speeds. I |
| window (floor to ceiling the best). You will need to | | | | also recommend a white balance target so you can |
| raise the blinds or drapes for the entire room. Next, | | | | custom white balance your shots. Interiors with |
| turn off all interior lights as they may cause a color | | | | brightly colored walls can sometimes cause a color |
| balance shift or unnecessary shadows under the | | | | cast on the subject so a custom white balance is a |
| eyes. | | | | must. |
| Once you have the room set up, you need to place | | | | The qualities of a naturally lit portrait are many: the |
| your subject in an ideal location. Best to have them | | | | subject has a soft, flattering look, the eyes have |
| face a window, with your back to the window. (you | | | | catch-lights, the background is out of focus from the |
| do not want to block the light). You can use your | | | | shallow depth of field and the subject looks relaxed |
| built in spot meter and meter on their face to obtain | | | | in an un-staged environment. If you photograph |
| an optimal exposure for skin tones. I recommend | | | | infants or children your client will appreciate the at |
| using a wide aperture (2.8 or wider) for a selective | | | | home service. A studio can also offer this service if |
| focus look. You will most likely need to balance the | | | | there are ample windows. |
| wide aperture with a fast shutter speed, but that is | | | | Experiment at home before you go out on |
| okay, especially if you are photographing children. Be | | | | assignment. It will be easier than you think to achieve |
| prepared to increase you ISO to 800 or even more. | | | | this highly desirable type of lighting. Go for it while the |
| What if you want to have the window as the | | | | time is right; you never know what tomorrow is |
| background? That would be a very tricky lighting | | | | going to bring. |