Using window light for photography

When I think of window light I think of Verneer. This luscious light was the first light source most photographers used when creating their indoor portraits. It was free, easy to use, and in most cases a nice soft pleasing light source.With just one window, you can create a series of different portraits that are quick, unique and easy.  I like to use a reflector along with the window light; this makes it easy to lighten up the shadows and get some big catch lights in the eyes. When using a window as your main light source I typically have my subject at a 45 degree angle while I stand parallel to the window. I will then bring in one of my large reflectors on the opposite of the window to lighten up the shadow side of the face caused by the window light. This will give that nice soft lighting transition from the high light to the shadow side of my subject. The window was facing South, so the window light coming through was rather harsh to what I would normally use. An easy fix for this was to pin up a white thin bed sheet I brought for just this problem.  The bed sheet softened the light but it also reduced the “amount” of light coming through the window so I had to tripod my camera as the shutter speed was to slow to handhold. With weddings when I am at the brides home I like to use the same window light setup if I can to create some beautiful bridal portraits. I will normally just use the walls of the homes as the background and the furniture that is in  the room as my props.  I use window light to photograph my brides, babies, business portraits, food, products, families and on and on.  Remember to always look at your  surroundings on the opposite of your subject (the opposite side of the window), and make sure there is enough light for your exposure.

Always look at the eyes of your subject and make sure there is a nice catch light or reflection from  the window light.