1. Choose the right camera

We’ve all heard time and time again that it’s not the camera that takes the pictures, it’s the photographer. And while this is of course true, it’s the responsibility of the photographer to make sure that his camera can handle the job. You need to make sure you choose a tool that can adapt to your needs and the light you will work with. Not all cameras are the same. So do your research, get to know your camera and find out what it can do for you in the conditions you are shooting in.

 

2. Pick the best lenses for the job

Choosing the right lenses is as important as choosing the right camera. I just posted a post about lenses, I hope that it will help you make you your choice. Find it here!

 

3. Windows and doors

You’ll want to get to know the light that comes through into the room you are shooting in. Sometimes the room will be flooded with a soft light. Other times it beams in, bouncing around off the walls and floors. Every light will give a different touch to your pictures. Some will add a soft glow, and some will make your pictures look more dramatic, by adding a harsh light. Observe the light, keep an eye on what kind of light enters each room throughout the day. What color is it? How strong is it?

 

TIP: The light has a warmer tone at sunrise and sunset. During midday, it has a cooler or neutral color. Shoot at different times of the day, to see what fits your style best.

 

4. Choose the source of your light

The color of light varies with the source. Skin tones can look odd when artificial light mixes with natural light. The easiest way to fix this problem is turning off all electric lights while shooting. Unless that’s the effect you are actually after. When in doubt, best is to check and take a shot to see what you prefer. You might be surprised at times what comes out of the mix.

 

5. Shoot in aperture priority mode {or choose manual settings to explore your creative side}

In Aperture Priority mode, you choose the aperture. The aperture is actually the width of the hole inside the lens that opens and closes. As the aperture widens, and the number indicating the aperture gets smaller and more light is let in. So your subject will be in focus, while your background is left soft and blurry. This adds a beautiful soft blurry effect to portraits, while keeping the subject tack sharp.

 

With indoor natural light photography, you need to let in as much light as possible. To do that, you’ll want a wide open aperture. The lower your aperture number (f-stop), the wider your aperture is open.

 

TIP: Shooting in RAW is better than JPEG for indoor natural light. RAW files record much more information and give you a lot more to work with when editing. Aperture priority mode is typically marked as AV or A, depending on what brand of camera you have. This mode allows you to set your aperture and then the camera automatically changes the other settings to make them work with the aperture you’ve chosen.

 

6. Choose your white balance

As I’m shooting in RAW, I usually keep my white balance on Auto White Balance at all times. I don’t worry about the white balance being off, as it’s so easy to fixe it in editing.

 

Before changing your settings check first if your camera isn’t doing the job for you already. But if Auto doesn’t give you the natural-looking colors you are after, you can select the white balance to match the light source or set it manually by shooting a white object and setting it as your white balance mark.

 

The button for changing white balance is usually marked with a WB somewhere on the back of the camera (or use your Canon Quick menu if you shoot with Canon). Keep in mind that white colors do not look the same to you as to your camera and that’s why you need to adjust the color temperature with software to make the white areas look white.

 

TIP: For proper skin tones choose Daylight (the one with the picture of the little sun). This will give good results, not too blue and not too yellow. If you want to warm things up a little, choose Cloudy (picture with a cloud). This will add more yellow. Try a shot with Daylight, then one with Cloudy, and see which you prefer. You can also test the other setting, to see if there is a setting that you like more.

 

Also in case your pictures didn’t come out as you wanted them to, or you simply changed your mind, you can adjust your white balance while editing (if you shoot in RAW) but getting it right while shooting makes editing easier.

 

7. Use reflectors, reflecting surfaces to bounce light or diffusers to soften or block it

A reflector is used to bounce natural light back into your subject. If you don’t have a professional reflector you can use a big piece of white paper, white fabric or a surface that bounces the light.

Once you start understanding light, there are going to be many scenarios where you need to fill in light, create negative fill, or add a splash of light into your subject or in the background. If you don’t have lights, your only option are reflectors or diffusers. And no, you do not need to buy expensive stuff. These can be inexpensive white big piece of paper, white fabric, or a foam core boards that you buy at your local art supply store. Buy what you need, but first try to see what you have already around you. And when planing a shoot, be sure to have these tools available, whenever you might need to reflect of soften the light around your subject.

 

TIP 1: When your subject is side-lit and your camera isn’t picking up detail in the shadows, having that bounce of light can add such a an interesting touch.

Reflectors are some of the tools that can really change your shots.

TIP 2: Use curtains or blinds to help diffuse harsh light. Pulling the curtains can soften the light and help with proper exposure. If the curtains are not doing the job, use a piece of material and hang it over existing curtain rods.

When your model is indoors and harsh light is bouncing all over creating harsh shadows, using something that will diffuse, soften the light will do wonders for your shot.

8. Tidy up the background

This one is really easy to do, yet so often forgotten. There are often things lying around the house, or the space your are shooting in. The clutter, a mess, can be distracting in a photograph. It’s worth taking a couple minutes to tidy it up before you start shooting.

 

TIP: In a small space, a backdrop can serve a double purpose. It will control light and or create a cover for a background clutter. It can help make a small space more workable and help to change the mood of a shot completely.

9. Place your model or subject close to the window/door

While shooting portraits, place your subject about half a meter away from the light source, a window or a door. This way you’ll make the best use of the natural light, and avoid the harsh contrasts that can be created by being too close to the window or a door.

 

TIP: Have a little fun with it. Have your model face different angles towards and away from the light. Try facing the light, backlit, side lit. Play with angles and see what looks best, and what you like most.