Master Natural Lighting Photography with Window Lighting

Unleash creativity and make beautiful flower photos with natural lighting. Our guide shows you how to master window lit floral photography.

Here, we'll demonstrate how to use reflectors, diffusers, and shades to manage natural light in various scenarios. For instance, in a high-contrast situation, a reflector can be used to bounce light into the shadows, while a diffuser can soften harsh light. Understanding these techniques is essential for any lighting you utilise; even a full studio flash setup is built on the same ideas.

The Rules for Mastering Natural Lighting Using Window Light

Consider the source of your source of light. You obviously can't change the window; move your subject to control this.

You'll get flat, even light, with the window immediately in front of the subject, but you might run into issues if shadows from you or your camera fall on the subject. A better choice is to place your subject so that it is directly across from the window.

This arrangement will produce a gentle side light that highlights shape and texture. Side lighting, as the name suggests, comes from the side of the subject, creating shadows that can add depth and dimension to your photos. It's also appropriate when employing light modifiers like reflectors and diffusers. Reflectors aid in brightening shadows and lessen contrast by being positioned typically on the side opposite the light source. Diffusers, which are put between the light source and the subject, produce a comparable result.

A black "reflector" can boost contrast while diffusers and reflectors work to lessen it. This is the simplest way to describe it, even if it doesn't solely reflect light, because its positioning and basic usage are comparable to those of a white or silver reflector. Lowering the amount of light reflected into the shadows and placing a blackboard across from your light source will make them darker.

Find a window that works for you and a straightforward subject, then experiment with various light modifiers to see how they transform your photographs. The impact of these modifiers on the final image can be truly inspiring, encouraging you to push the limits of your creativity.

Master Natural Light Diffusion

Here are a few simple ways to diffuse the light from a window with items you may have around the house.

Window Light Only
The naturally diffused light illuminates the flower, leaving some detail in the shadows.

White Reflector
This lightens the shadows, making it perfect for even illumination.

Silver Reflector
Created even lighter shadows. This extreme effect can look overdone in some flower shots. You can experiment with smooth vs crumpled reflectors to create extra lighting effects.

Black Reflector
Reducing the light reflected produces darker shadows and more obvious texture.

Diffuser
Placing a diffuser between the window and the flower produces a softer light.

Backlight
It can produce a very soft-looking result, as there is almost no light falling onto the subject, and it can be used to highlight edges and reveal the internal structure of leaves and petals.

Detailed Instructions for Basic Natural Lighting

Here's how to create a straightforward yet impactful flower image using your newly acquired lighting techniques.

Select A Backdrop

Use the coloured card as the fundamental background for a brighter, more eye-catching image. I used a green background to contrast with the pink blossom for the most visual impact. Try playing around with others' colours. Placing the background further away can blur the background with a shallower depth of field.

Camera Settings for Window Light Photography

Focus on the stamen in the centre of the flower using manual focus while your camera is mounted on a tripod. Set an aperture of f/8 in manual or aperture priority exposure modes to provide enough depth of field to keep the nearest petals in focus.

Add A Reflector

I used a white reflector placed just to the right of the flower to reflect light into the bloom's centre. The position of the reflector is crucial. Placing it too close to the flower can create harsh shadows while placing it too far can result in a flat, uninteresting image. The inside of the flower appeared to be extremely bright due to an excessively strong silver reflection.