Three tips for portraits using window light
We moved into a new office recently and it’s wonderful. It has white walls to bounce light off and a single large window at the end. We’ve been creating some natural light portraits just using this window and a couple of spaces around the beautiful old mill that we work in.
Window light can tell such wonderful stories. If you are able, place your subject close to the window and watch how everything changes with the slightest movement. This kind of light can be used to highlight someones face in a soft way, or can be used from the side to create much more drama and interest. If you’re feeling more creative you can put your subject in the window, with the light right behind them and create a silhouette effect too, by exposing for the window rather than your subject. It is so much more directional and can be used in a variety of ways.
Window light
Try standing a subject facing outwards towards the light in the window. See how the light illuminates certain areas of your subject and has a kind of gentle spot light effect. Put your back to the window and let the light fall over you and onto the subjects face, this can also be known as short light when the light will hit your subject and drop off quickly.
Sidelight
To add a bit interest and to play with the light more, try facing your subject so that the window is parallel to them, you,ll see that the light is stronger on one side than the other, watch how the light almost splits the subject into two different looks, illuminated and dark and shadowy. This can be really effective if you like a more dramatic feel to your images. This can add more contrast to a persons face, creating more interest in the portrait.
Backlight
This is where the main light source is coming from behind the subject you are working with. It can give you a halo effect and if you can move the sun by moving yourself around the subject, you can find a really great flare. Back light adds that ethereal feel to photographs. It can be all the difference between a fairly average scene and something that wows.
Back light and golden hour can be a beautiful combination. There are always ways to shoot with different kinds of light, you just need to build them into your light toolkit. Try - Sometimes when the sun is low it can be hard to focus with your camera. Try hiding the sun behind the subjects head, focus on the eyes and then move the camera so that the sun is just over the shoulder. You will get that incredible lens flare. This is something we do try for, as it adds texture and wonder to any image.
Windows are great because you know where the light is coming from, so it’s a lot easier to see where the light is and where it’s falling, and to create the images you see in your head, use light to tell your story. Keep it simple, don’t over complicate things and use the light to your advantage. Work out where the light is coming from and place your subject in it and use the light to shape them and tell your story.