Bending the Light

Shooters know that some of the best light is "North" light - indirect sunlight coming in through the north window after the sun has swung around to the south side of the building. Or at least, far enough around the east end to put the north wall in shadow.

I wanted to do some indoor natural light work, and got a chance to with Christie. I had 3 options I could play with: a screen door, with a great (read sarcasm here) view of the neighbors swing set, a tall, narrow inset window, and a large picture window above the fireplace and TV cubby. The picture window sets back 3 feet from the face of the fireplace/cubby, which explains the inset window right next to it.



So first, I had Christie stand and look out the recessed window. Lifted the blinds and nice soft light pours in. I brought in a round silver reflector to lift the shadows on her face and lift her black hair enough to give it texture and shape. Would have liked to lift the shadows a tad more, but the overcast day and narrow window didn't me much to work with.


So, next we go up the ladder and set her by the big picture window. NOW I have more light to play with, and the reflector did a better job lifting the shadows on her face and giving her hair depth. I was quite pleased!

Unfortunately, shortly after we finished with the window the sun got lower, the clouds thicker and we lost our nice ambient light source. What to do???? Strobe power!!!!



Key light here is a 16x55 strip box. One more strobe with 7" reflector and 30 degree grid gave her nice rim light. I dialed down the rim to make it really subtle. You can just catch it on the bridge of her nose, her forehead and the hair falling down behind her shoulder.

All in all, a good shoot!


Hope you enjoyed...