How to Use Natural Light [NSFW]

Natural light photography is sought-after in lifestyle, fashion, lingerie, and many other photography genres. Anita Sadowska takes us through how she uses natural light in her small apartment and what decisions you need to make when you plan on using natural light. 

Sadowska challenges the sensor on her Canon 5D Mark IV by sometimes shooting back-lit photos, and the end result made for some great images. I would've graded the colors differently and find hers a bit too orange, but this can also be due to YouTube, the MacBook Pro screen I watched the video on, or even just personal preference.

When doing this type of setup, you need to know where the light will be during the shoot and make sure everything is in place for it. Sadowska shot these images with a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens lens to be able to go wide enough and give the photographs some context. This lens is one I also use, and I must say it's one of the lenses you can get rather close with while getting nice and wide, too.

In conclusion, you should plan the day and know what shots you want to get. Even if it's a cloudy day, if you have a window, it'll soften the light that enters, which can even give you a better, softer light. I love natural light and even prefer it over setting lights up in studio. How do you use natural light?

Wouter du Toit's picture

Wouter is a portrait and street photographer based in Paris, France. He's originally from Cape Town, South Africa. He does image retouching for clients in the beauty and fashion industry and enjoys how technology makes new ways of photography possible.

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Not everybody works at a department store, though! Some people work in more conservative environments, where it is wise not to be spotted looking at lingerie models on your computer screen.

You don't have to be an employee, just walk through any clothing store, and you will see photos of women wearing lingerie, you don't even have to go into a Victorias secret to see them, I'm not making judgements here, just saying that these types of photos are everywhere, and so what.

Well the "W" in NSFW does stand for "work" after all! So if you're not an employee then you're probably not at work, hence "NSFW" doesn't apply to you! In that case, of course browse the article to your heart's content, if reading Fstoppers articles as you walk through a clothing store is your thing.

You say that "these types of photos are everywhere" so clearly you've never been in a workplace that doesn't have pictures showing of women in their underwear. However, many people do work in such places, and the NSFW label is useful for such people. It's as simple as that.

which one, road trip............

Just curious, has anyone actually touched on what should be the real focus here? The photography technique? Ok, the model is pretty, she’s moving slow to give posing options to the photographer. Done. Personally I don’t think this is all that special. Sorry but an article on basic modeling session with available light? Seen it a million times. I’m sure she is a talented photographer but it’s a rather boring video. And honestly if you have a beautiful model you’re going to get amazing photos! Oh, and she doesn’t look like she’s on drugs. My 2 cents. ;)

We can disagree on how she looks but in other, similar videos I've seen, the model pauses at certain points rather than moving slowly, to get the shot. Is that not usually the case?

They should have gotten some windex and cleaned those windows first.

I found another valuable video of photographer Sadowska. Evaluate her sense for humor...

https://fstoppers.com/humor/uncle-jerrys-guide-photographing-fashion-mod...