How to Use Sunlight for Better Photos
Lighting can make or break a photo, and natural light is often the best tool we have to create beautiful, vibrant images.
I would often forget about how crucial lighting was. But once I started to understand how to work with natural light, my photos improved dramatically. Here’s a friendly guide to using sunlight to capture stunning images.
1. The Golden Hour: The Best Time for Natural Light
Photographers love the “golden hour”—the period shortly after sunrise and just before sunset. During these times, the sun is low in the sky, casting a soft, warm glow that adds richness and depth to your photos. Golden hour lighting is perfect for portraits, landscapes, and even casual outdoor shots because it’s flattering and doesn’t create harsh shadows.
- Pro Tip: Check the sunrise and sunset times in your area so you can plan shoots during golden hour. Arriving a little earlier or staying a little later also lets you catch “blue hour,” a cooler-toned period right before sunrise and after sunset.
2. Avoiding Harsh Midday Sun
Shooting under the midday sun can be tricky. It casts strong, direct light that creates intense shadows and highlights, which can wash out colors and add unflattering shadows to faces. If you’re shooting around noon, look for some shade—trees, buildings, or any structure that filters the light can soften the harshness.
- Experiment: Try positioning your subject near the edge of a shadow so there’s still some light, but it’s diffused and softer. This creates a gentle, natural look without the harsh shadows of direct sunlight.
3. Backlighting: Capture a Soft Glow
Backlighting is when the light source (the sun) is behind your subject. This technique can give a beautiful, dreamy glow, especially around hair or edges, creating an ethereal halo effect. To get the best results, position yourself so the sun is behind your subject, and use a slightly higher exposure to avoid your subject appearing too dark.
- Pro Tip: Try this at golden hour for the best results. I like to tap on my subject to set the focus and adjust the exposure slightly higher to get that beautiful backlit effect.
4. The Magic of Window Light for Indoor Shots
If you’re indoors, natural light from windows can be a lifesaver. Window light is softer and more diffused, especially on cloudy days. Position your subject near the window with the light falling on them from the side or at a slight angle. This setup creates beautiful shadows and a natural-looking highlight that adds depth.
- Experiment: Use curtains or blinds to control the intensity of the light. If the light is too strong, sheer curtains can help diffuse it even further, creating a soft, flattering look.
5. Cloudy Days: A Natural Softbox
Cloudy days are perfect for outdoor photography because the clouds act as a giant softbox, diffusing sunlight and eliminating harsh shadows. This even lighting is flattering for portraits, as it lights your subject gently from all angles. Colors also tend to appear richer and more vibrant on cloudy days.
- Pro Tip: Use cloudy days for outdoor portraits or close-ups of nature. You’ll find that colors pop without the distraction of intense shadows or highlights.
6. Using Reflectors to Control Light
A reflector is a fantastic tool for manipulating natural light, especially when shooting portraits. You can use it to bounce light back onto your subject’s face, fill in shadows, or even add warmth to the photo. Reflectors don’t have to be fancy—a white piece of poster board, a silver windshield sunshade, or even a white wall can work wonders.
- Experiment: Position the reflector so it bounces light onto your subject from below or the side, depending on the effect you want. A little extra light can make a huge difference in brightening up shadowed areas.
7. Understanding Directional Light
Directional light refers to how the sunlight hits your subject and can dramatically change the mood of your photo. Front light, where the sun is behind you, will fully illuminate your subject, making for clear, well-lit shots. Side lighting adds depth and texture by casting shadows on one side of your subject, which is excellent for creating drama in portraits or landscapes.
- Experiment: Try shooting with the sun in different positions—front, side, or back—to see how it changes the look of your photo. Side lighting, in particular, brings out textures and details, adding richness and dimension.
8. Watch for Shadows and Highlights
Natural light creates natural shadows and highlights that can add depth to your images. But sometimes, these shadows can be too intense, especially when the light source is strong. Pay attention to how shadows fall on your subject, and adjust your position or have your subject move slightly to find a flattering balance.
- Pro Tip: If you’re shooting in a high-contrast situation (like midday), try taking several shots from different angles to see which captures the best balance of light and shadow.
9. Silhouettes for a Dramatic Effect
Want to capture something moody? Try silhouettes. By positioning your subject in front of a bright light source (like the sun) and lowering the exposure, you can create beautiful silhouettes that emphasize shape and form. Silhouettes work best during sunrise or sunset when the light is warm and the sky colorful.
- Experiment: Use a simple subject with a defined shape, like a person or a tree, for the best results. Lower the exposure or tap on the sky to make your subject appear as a dark outline against a bright background.
10. Keep Practicing and Have Fun!
Working with natural light takes practice, but it’s one of the most rewarding skills in photography. Play around with different times of day, light directions, and weather conditions to see how they affect your photos. The more you experiment, the more you’ll learn to see light in new ways and use it to create images that tell a story.
Natural light is your best friend as a photographer, so embrace it and have fun with these techniques. Happy shooting!