How To Create Natural Light Beauty Portraits
Finding the Right Location
When it comes to finding the right location for your natural light beauty portraits, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should start by looking for a space with diffused light. This could be an open shady area, or even indoors near a large window. The second thing you should check is that the region you select doesn't have any oppressive shadows. And lastly, you’ll want to pick a spot with a plain background so that your subject is the star of the show.
Setting Up Your Camera
If you're using a DSLR, set your lens to the widest aperture setting. For most lenses, this will be indicated by the smallest number on the aperture ring (i.e. if your aperture ring goes from 2.8 to 22, the lowest number is your widest aperture). If you’re using a point-and-shoot digital camera, you likely won’t have an aperture ring; just set your camera to its “portrait” or “night” scene setting.
Next, you’ll need to determine your shutter speed. To capture unwitting natural light portraits without blurring, you’ll want a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second or faster. If you can’t get that fast of a shutter speed while still maintaining a low ISO and wide aperture, increase your ISO or decrease your aperture accordingly.
Capturing the Perfect Light
One of the biggest questions I get from budding photographers is “How do you take advantage of natural light?” If that’s something you’ve been wondering about, this post is for you! Here are some pointers for utilizing natural light effectively, whether you're shooting inside or outside.
OUTDOORS:
Taking portraits outside is my favorite way to work with natural light. The first thing you want to do is find a spot where your subject will be in direct sunlight. Then, have them face away from the sun so that their features are nicely lit and there are no harsh shadows on their face. You can use a reflector to fill in any shadows if needed. Finally, shoot in manual mode so that you can control the exposure and make sure the photo isn’t too dark or too light.
INDOORS:
When shooting indoors, you want to find a spot near a window where there is lots of natural light coming in. Again, have your subject face away from the light source so that their features are nicely lit. If there are any harsh shadows, you can use a reflector to fill them in. You can also shoot in manual mode so that you can control the exposure and make sure the photo isn’t too dark or too light.
Utilizing Your Subject
Effective lighting is crucial for all types of photography, but it's crucial for taking portraits in particular. It's crucial to take the time to carefully set up your photographs since good lighting can make or ruin a photograph.
If you're shooting portraits outdoors, natural light is always the best option. Finding a spot with nice, even lighting is the key. Avoid taking pictures in the sun's direct rays because this can cast a harsh shadow on your subject's face. Instead, look for a spot that's in the shade or that has soft, diffused light.
Once you've found your location, it's time to work with your subject. Pose them so that they appear their finest and that their characteristics are highlighted. There are several online and photography book options you may use if you're not sure how to pose someone.
Take your time and try out a variety of positions and angles until you discover one that looks excellent. And don't forget to have your subject move around a bit; sometimes the best shots are candid ones where your subject isn't posed at all.
Editing Your Photos
When editing your photos, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Use light and shadow to your advantage. Be sure to lighten dark areas and shadow bright areas, never the other way around.
- Bring out natural colors by increasing the saturation and vibrance. Don't go overboard, just make sure the colors are true to life.
- Enhance the details in your photo by increasing the clarity and sharpness. Just be careful not to overdo it or your photo will look artificial.
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