There is something beautiful and incredibly engaging about photos that have been shot in natural light. The natural light of the sun can create stunning colors spanning the whole spectral range, something that just can’t be achieved with artificial lighting. Learning to harness the power and light of the sun in your photographs is a fantastic technique for taking your photography to the next level. 
Playing with natural light in your photographs will likely take a bit of practice and of course, experimentation. You will need to learn how your camera handles natural light, and begin to understand what settings work best for you. But we’ve put together a few digital photography tips to get you started shooting in natural light. 

<h3>How The Time of Day and The Weather Affects Your Photos</h3> 

The time of day and where the sun is physically in the sky will have a huge affect on the photos you take, and additionally where the shadows are in your photos. It’s been said that the optimum time for shooting with natural light is during the “Golden Hours” ie as the sun rises and sets. This is of course a really great starting point as you’re likely to get great natural lighting without harsh overhead shadows. 

Depending on your subject, it’s certainly worth experimenting with other times of day as well –for instance, people don’t often photograph well in harsh overhead sun as it causes unsightly shadows on the face and chin. But other subjects like landscapes or buildings may be just fine in overhead light. Further to that the shadows created at that time of day may add something spectacular to your shot. The point here is to start thinking about where the sun is in relation to your subject and how it will affect your photo. 

The weather can also affect the light in your photos in both positive and negative ways. Although most photographers just starting out tend to think that a bright sunny day is best for getting good photos, a cloudy day may actually create a beautiful mood to your image. Cloud cover naturally diffuses the light from the sun, giving your photo dimension without casting difficult shadows.  

<h3>Using Shadows To Create A Mood In Your Photos</h3> 

You already know that shadows can give a photo dimension and become part of the subject of your photograph. But did you know that shadows also create a “mood” in your photo. A photo that is heavy with shadows, where there is more shadow than light creates a dark, intense, or even ominous mood. Whereas a photo that uses light shadowing can make the image come alive in a more three-dimensional way. When looking at a scene to photograph take into consideration the surroundings and how you could use those surroundings with the natural light on that day to “create a mood”. 

<h3>Using Natural Light for Indoor Photos</h3> 

Although it may seem like using the natural light in your photos is a technique that is best practiced with outdoor shooting, you can also use natural light to your advantage when shooting inside. Using the natural light from a nearby window can create dramatic effects. Just think of yourself as a cat – they always seem to find the natural light, wherever it is. Use that light to your advantage, and practice with reflecting the light and bouncing it with a reflector, a mirror, or even a piece of white foam board to move the light it around your subject. 

There are so many ways to use the natural light available to you in your photographs. Practice with different techniques to discover what works best for you, and your photography style. When you begin to think about using the light to your advantage you’ll begin to see photography in a “new light”. Pun intended. 
