How can natural light create a mood in your photos?

Natural light can be bounced, diffused and dimmed by all kinds of man-made structures as well naturally occurring things like clouds. Natural light can also add a natural color grade to your images through the scattering of shorter wave lengths of light during sunset and sunrise to create warmer tones. Effects that occur to natural light can be a weapon in the arsenal of a skilled photographer. They can be used to create any mood desired provided the angle, time, weather and other influences are correctly aligned to permit this. Given the necessity for perfect synchronicity among these variables, it is crucial to recognize that harnessing the full potential of natural light demands patience and impeccable timing.

Lighting, in my opinion, is everything necessary after the composition of what is to be shot. Half close your eyes to see where the light is highlighted, ensure that you can capture what you want to capture before taking the shot.....if that's possible. Overall, it's important to be AWARE of where the light is coming from to get the best results. "A little ray of sunshine...' might just be the perfect moment to capture something.

It’s all in the- “Angle of the dangle”. That’s what an Army photo instructor told me at a young stage in my life. I never forgot it.

First forget the rules as they pertain to mood and lighting in photography and instead remember this: Some of the best photography happens organically while you are observing life with your visual eye and something you see makes you say , wow, let me get my camera because that just made me feel a sense of wonder! It is this sense of wonder that gets translated, into the photo that you are taking.

I tend to let the light dictate the mood of the shot I'm going for and try to get creative with it. But in order to be ready to roll at a moment's notice (since natural light changes quickly) you have to do your homework. Take notice of the lighting in photos or films you like and admire and try to keep a rolodex in your mind. Or do what I do and screenshot beautiful pieces of work to go back to and study so that when the moment's right.. you're not left second guessing.

In my experience as a natural light indoor headshot photographer, I’ve learned how easy it is to find pockets of natural light in unexpected places if you look for it. Utilizing little pockets of light can really allow creativity. Shooting in manual mode and controlling the way your camera is allowing light in is fundamental to utilizing the natural light you find. Harsh shadows mixed with bright day light is fun to play around with. Use this light to shoot drastic, artistic pictures. Shooting in front of large windows with your subject facing the light is the best way to get a smooth, even light. Avoiding turning sideways so only one side of the face is lit will help you nail your indoor natural light portraits.

Natural light is the best lighting teacher! When assessing studio lighting think of natural light when creating your lighting diagram. Sunrise lighting may mean your main is east while sunset ambient lighting should come from the west set side. So when you’re shooting outside pay attention to every natural shadow, reflection, as well as the suns direction to enhance your studio lighting.

Effectivement certaines heures de la journée sont moins favorables aux prises dé vue en extérieur car la lumière est trop dure l’avantage est que cela permet d’avoir des ombres très nettes les inconvénients sont un contraste élevé du sujet et les zones directement éclairées peuvent être cramées et les ombres très sombres enfin cela joue aussi sur la saturation des couleurs alors que les lumières plus douces les diffusent partout et permettent de les réduire Tout est encore question de ce que l’on veut faire

Je trouve toujours intéressant de pratiquer la photographie que la lumière soit douce ou dure. En tant que photographe de mariage, je dois dans tous les cas faire avec pour créer des souvenirs inoubliables et forts, alors autant pratiquer et explorer tout type de lumière. Les lumières dures permettent de magnifiques jeux d’ombres et de lumières tandis que les lumières douces permettent souvent des compositions où le sujet est mis en valeur de manière directe.

I am fortunate to have North light in my studio. North light, which is most neutral and provides multiple mid-tones is less likely to blowout highlights and blackout shadows. (I don't use artificial lighting unless I'm on a client shoot and have no other option.) The quality of light changes every second; therefore, I take many shots of my subject using the same angle to eek out any possible variations. In my opinion, light is the most powerful element and tool of any visual art-form. The quality of light brings out the form, line and composition of a work. It also distinctly describes an artist's purpose (soft, dreamy light in Monet's Water Lilies) and where the work was created (brilliant sunlight in Sorolla's Spanish scenes).

The majority of the time I use natural lighting as to me, when the camera was created, it was with natural light that they would shoot. I’m very old school about that because I just enjoy the unknown with the type of light. One moment it will be sunny the next overcast and then golden hour comes by and you can literally have 3 different moods at the same spot. Portraits in particular can be so fun to experiment with because combining these different lights with the different zooming you will do, it can create so much depth and make the observer think what’s behind the story.

As a wildlife photographer natural light is almost always the only thing to work with. Time of day makes a big difference in the feel of your images. You would have heard of the infamous ‘golden hour’. There are obviously better times of day to shoot outside, and better angles of light that gets created by the sun. This however dies not mean that these are the only times that you should be shooting. Obviously your subject matter does not account for the light you need to appear and do what they do. Playing with your light temperature will allow you more time to create mood and feeling in your images. The bush that I work in will often provide strong dappled light in shaded areas, which works great when pushing your colour temperature.

We can achieve the desired results in photography by being in the right place at the right time. For instance, capturing photos during the golden hour (preferably just before sunset, the later, the better) is optimal for achieving warm and gentle tones in the image. If you find that the warmth in your photos is insufficient, you can enhance it easily in a basic photo processing application by boosting the yellow and red tones.

I love using the sun as my light. It makes so many different colours depending on its position which in turn creates different moods for your photography. For landscape photography before sunrise (first light) and after sunset gives you such a beautiful glow, then when there’s clouds scattered on the horizon, it’s magical in my opinion.

Effectivement tôt le matin et en fin de journée on assiste à l’heure bleue qui permet de faire des photos avec des tonalités bleues Pour ma part je préfère l’heure dorée qui est en général la première heure et la dernière où le soleil brille cela donne de belles tonalités dorées, les ombres s’allongent et le ciel rougit. Du plus bel effet pour tout type de photo

I’ve always been a big fan of natural light but I am currently working on mastering speed lights. Learning how to manipulate environments with light can change the mood of the entire shoot. Whether you use a soft box or direct light can change the whole mood. Alternative, with natural night, you can’t really manipulate the light source, but you can change your composure. I will often look a bit crazy while I circle around a subject searching for the right light. I find a lot of success being perpendicular to direct light and back lighting. I want there to be a soft glow and facial depth which can be achieved even in direct sunlight. I do also love when there are low clouds that give the softest creamy light in the morning.

L’intensité de la lumière naturelle désigne la force ou la puissance de la lumière du soleil sur votre sujet. Une lumière naturelle forte est une lumière vive et éclatante, comme celle du soleil en plein midi ou en été. Elle produit des ombres dures et des hautes lumières élevées, ce qui crée un contraste élevé. Une lumière naturelle faible est une lumière douce et tamisée, comme celle du soleil en hiver ou par temps nuageux. Elle produit des ombres douces et des hautes lumières basses, ce qui crée un contraste faible et des couleurs moins saturées. Pour choisir l’intensité de la lumière naturelle la plus adaptée à votre portrait, vous devez tenir compte du message que vous voulez transmettre.

Understanding the difference between the tone curve processed by your eye/brain and that of the camera sensor and processor you are using can help with your engagement and rendering of a scene. Things are a lot more flexible now than when this was set by the film you were using. But still worth being aware of and taking advantage of. Bottom line. Understand the tone curve.

One of my favorite lighting types is natural light, but with natural light you often have to think about the time of day you're shooting in for the different types of mood you are wanting to achieve. For example: Morning Light is Soft, the golden hues during sunrise convey a sense of renewal and freshness. And Midday Light has Direct sunlight that can create strong contrasts and vibrant colors, contributing to a bold and energetic mood. Where as with Evening Light, The warm, low-angle light of sunset adds a romantic and nostalgic mood to the scene. It's really up to you to decide which time of day you want to use to set the mood of your photograph, but remember don't be afraid to experiment, the idea of learning is trial and error.

The intensity of light holds paramount importance in photography, shaping the mood and impact of images. During a challenging shoot at work, I learned to manage light intensity by adjusting exposure settings and employing tools like reflectors. In my experience, this control over intensity is pivotal for creating the desired atmosphere, be it highlighting details in high-intensity situations or crafting a soft glow in low-light conditions. Recognising how varying intensities contribute to the composition adds depth and emotion to the visual narrative. Mastery of light intensity allows photographers to convey specific emotions and tell compelling stories through their images.

Angle and direction of light are two sides of the same coin. Sunrise and sunset ("golden hours") are prime examples where light is angled to produce lovely shadows, depth, and color to the scene. The direction of light based upon that angle determines what part of the landscape receives the benefit of that light and color. This is what makes sunset and sunrise such perfect times for photography. A prime example of this is Dantes View at Death Valley National Park. Sunrise vs. sunset can make the area look different, based upon the location of the sun. Direct overhead light, on the other hand, shines down on everything equally, with no shadows/depth. It's often harsh, but at the same time, can reveal things previously hidden in shadows.

I agree. In addition to high and low angle lighting, there are a few other key angles in photography that impact how a subject is illuminated and the mood of the photo: Side Lighting: Creates light on one side and shadow on the other. Good for drama. Front Lighting: Bright and clear in front, very few shadows. Great for happy, simple photos. Back Lighting: Light from behind the subject, can make silhouettes or a soft glow. Three-Quarter Lighting: A mix of front and side, gives a natural, balanced look. Overhead Lighting: Light from above, creates strong shadows below. Adds intensity. Each angle helps tell a different story in a photo, like choosing the right lighting for a scene in a movie.

The angle of light is very important. If it is directly above, the shadows created can be interesting. If it is slanted and comes from one side, it creates a smoldery, misty, enchanted look. Then there are some photographers who prefer to use backlighting to highlight interesting features in their subjects, especially in the case of portraits.

The angle of light is a pivotal element in photography, influencing the mood and visual impact of images. One time at work, I realised its significance during a photo shoot, where experimenting with angles, from the warm embrace of a low sunrise to the dramatic shadows of a high afternoon, shaped the desired atmosphere. In my experience, understanding how light interacts with the subject adds depth and emotion to the composition. I've found it helpful to pay attention to how light accentuates textures and shapes. By skillfully manipulating the angle of light, photographers can craft images that resonate deeply, telling compelling visual stories.

L'angle de la lumière donne un effet. Les angles peuvent être multiples et les résultats infinis. Tout le reste est à la libre appréciation de l'artiste photographe sur le résultat escompté de la lumière sur le sujet.

Natural light significantly influences the mood of photos through its inherent contrast. The interplay of light and shadows creates depth and dimension, setting the emotional tone of an image. For instance, soft, diffused light during the golden hour imparts warmth and a tranquil atmosphere. Alternatively, harsh midday sunlight can evoke a dramatic or intense mood with distinct shadows. The use of natural light allows photographers to sculpt and emphasize certain elements, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the photo.

High contrast creates a bold, dynamic look with strong differences between light and dark areas, while low contrast results in a more subtle, softer appearance with fewer pronounced differences. Managing contrast is essential for controlling the visual impact and emphasizing specific elements within your photo.

Natural light has so much variety, from a diffuse glow through heavy clouds to spotlit beams through a window, and with a wide array of colors, from warm to cool.

The contrast of light creates the mood of the work. A photograph in which the darks are slammed in and highlights are super bright contrasts very much with a work of muted mid-tones. Each in its own way creates the feeling the viewer gets when looking at the art. For example, different photographers use light for purposes of creating mood. Mapplethorpe's portraits often portrayed his subjects as highly contrasting sculptural forms; whereas, his flower photographs are delicately nuanced in tone, the shadows often fragile. The contrast of lights/darks define the subject in terms of the artist's vision.

In my opinion the contrast of light is most effective through black and white photography. Strong contrasts between light and dark areas can create a sense of drama, mystery, and intensity in black and white images. In a high-contrast black and white photograph, deep shadows and bright highlights can evoke a feeling of starkness and emphasis, emphasizing the shapes, textures, and emotions within the scene. On the other hand, a low-contrast black and white photo with softer transitions between light and dark areas may convey a mood of subtlety and calmness. The manipulation of light contrast is a powerful tool in setting the emotional tone and visual impact of black and white photography.

Choosing the right position and type of light is crucial for a great photo. Photography is essentially painting with light, underscoring the importance of thoughtful decisions in advance to achieve the desired result. Some flaws and omissions are later hard to correct through post-processing.

Astrophotography tips - Pitch black landscapes make for great compositions to see stars. Cities are filled with light pollution so what's helped me is looking for dark sky parks online or going to known astrophotography sites (Banff National Park was my absolute favourite site). Stick your camera on a tripod, manually focus the camera to a star, open your aperture all the way (f/2.8 if you have), set your shutter to anywhere from 8" (seconds) and longer, ISO around 1000, and let the camera do the work!

Natural light significantly influences the mood of photos through its intensity, direction, and color temperature. The warm, soft glow of the golden hour can infuse images with a romantic or nostalgic atmosphere, while harsh midday sun creates dramatic contrasts for intense moods, suitable for styles like high fashion. Overcast skies offer soft, even illumination, ideal for conveying a calm and serene ambiance. Backlighting introduces a dreamy or ethereal quality, and the elongated shadows during the late afternoon can evoke feelings of mystery or nostalgia. Understanding how to leverage these natural light conditions will enhance your ability to convey specific emotions and moods in your photography.

Pô, a coisa mais fácil, a minha hora preferida do dia é quando está aquele dusk, quase anoitecendo, um céu bem puxado para o roxo, com umas tonalidades vermelho e amarelo, dependendo para que lado seu olhar está direcionado, que as luzes da rua já acenderam.

Avant toute chose ce qui me semble important est ce que l'on veut faire ressortir, cela permet ensuite de choisir le bon moment en fonction de la lumière où de mettre en place le matériel adéquat, la gestion de la lumière est à la base de la photographie, il est donc nécessaire de s'y intéresser en profondeur et aussi de ne pas hésiter à tester, encore tester jusqu'à obtenir le résultat souhaité