Using window light – Part 2
Part II will attempt to cover some of the special problems encountered when using window light, as well as explaining some techniques for artistic expression.
Two difficulties are presented by window lighting:
The first problem, uneven light levels, can be dealt with in two basic ways:
Dealing with it by using reflectors
Reflectors and/or fill light can be used during the session to bring light levels higher in the upper portion of the subject. Care should be taken that this does not create a difference in apparent light direction from that which exists in the rest of the frame. Shadows falling in different directions may not even be noticed consciously by many, but they leave a feeling that “something is wrong”.
Dealing with it by fixing in post production
Another approach is to fix this in post production. This is one of the advantages of modern digital photography.
While details are beyond the scope of this article, this fix can basically be done by:
Model: Sweet Romance
In the above example, a line has been drawn showing where the selection was drawn for this purpose. On this 12mpx original, a feather value of 250px was used to feather the effect.
The important part is learning to recognize this condition and working from that knowledge.
To discuss the color shift phenomena I will use an image in which the color shift was so dramatic that I decided to use it “as is”.
Model: Melissa Trout
This image really demonstrates the typical shift caused by the difference in color temperature between the sky (very cold) and the surrounding earth and buildings (usually much warmer).
With this diagram I hope to show that windows act like lenses: they invert the image projected through them. Anyone who has used a view camera will remember that the image on the ground glass is inverted.
What this means is that the cold blue light from the sky is projected toward the bottom of the frame while the warmer light reflected from the building across the street is projected up, toward the top of the frame.
Normally I would have drawn a selection from approx 2/3 of the way to the top on the right margin diagonally down roughly through Melissa’s left breast then almost to the bottom of the frame on the left. After feathering this selection with a setting of around 150px, the “Variations”, “Brightness and Contrast”, “Hue and Saturation” and perhaps other PS controls would have been used to “even up” the colors and contrasts. As mentioned, I found the shift so striking that I decided to use this image just as it came from the camera.
The term “Special Effects” might be overstating things a bit, but in this last section I would like to suggest some methods of modifying the feel of an image by using available light and exposure to control contrast.
Model: Raven Le Faye
Backlighting can be very effective in creating a dreamy feel.
Two factors can be used to enhance this:
A relatively high EV setting will also contribute to this high key effect. Once again, digital cameras provide some advantages. These scenes are quite difficult to meter accurately when using film. The image preview feature of modern cameras allows us to effectively do clip tests while shooting: I set the preview to show highlight clipping and allow the background to become blown out while maintaining detail in the important bits (model’s face and skin tones).
Another backlit shot. The one above was in a rather light colored room and the source was a large patio door. This gave us an “awash with light” situation.
Model: Samantha Christian
This one of Samantha was shot in a relatively dark and very large room, so there isn’t nearly as much light being reflected back from the room itself. Also, by carefully positioning Samantha between the windows, a nice rim lighting was achieved.
The next two photos give an idea of how strong an effect lens flare can have on contrast.
Model: Tiana Hunter
We were shooting in an old factory. I was seated across the room from Tiana. The sun had gone a bit to the West, and so I was actually sitting in the sunlight coming through the high bank of windows camera left.
I asked Tiana to hold each pose for two clicks. I used my hand as a lens shade for one, and let the sun fall into the lens on the next. In some shots the lens flare was nothing short of spectacular.
Model: Tiana Hunter
This image was shot in exactly the same light conditions as the one above (eleven frames later) but this is one of the ones in which I protected the lens from direct sunlight.
Awash With Light
Model: Tiana Hunter
As mentioned above, a light colored room with lots of windows can provide relatively high levels of softness by diffusing the light.
This is basically a two source image as described in part one. The room is white and small, with lots of windows, so deep shadows exist almost nowhere, giving an angelic appearance.
A similar shot in the same room:
Model: Tiana Hunter
A slightly different approach to “awash with light”: This room has windows on three of the four walls. It combines backlight with fill from both sides, as well as some reflected off the fourth wall behind the camera position.
Model: Samantha Christian
—-
Footnote for Model : My current shooting preferences call for as little equipment as possible—usually one camera body and one lens. This is not for any reasons of purism, or even a need to avoid artificial light. This preference has evolved for me mainly for one reason: The fewer distractions, the better. Over the years I have realized that (for me at least) there is an inverse relationship between the amount of equipment involved and the level of communication with models.
Sometimes we see photographers in the forums here on Model asking about and striving for “style”. Often the tools one uses combines with the artistic outlook of the photographer to become that person’s style. For me this is analogous to what constitutes a model’s style: The way their body moves; the ways in which they choose to emote and use body language. If we let these things happen they will IMHO be much more organic than attempting to forcibly produce a style.
Two difficulties are presented by window lighting:
- uneven light levels
- color temperature shift
The first problem, uneven light levels, can be dealt with in two basic ways:
- using reflectors
- in post production
Dealing with it by using reflectors
Reflectors and/or fill light can be used during the session to bring light levels higher in the upper portion of the subject. Care should be taken that this does not create a difference in apparent light direction from that which exists in the rest of the frame. Shadows falling in different directions may not even be noticed consciously by many, but they leave a feeling that “something is wrong”.
Dealing with it by fixing in post production
Another approach is to fix this in post production. This is one of the advantages of modern digital photography.
While details are beyond the scope of this article, this fix can basically be done by:
- selecting an area of the image along the diagonal line suggested by the darker part of the frame
- feathering with a wide range
- using adjustment controls to bring brightness, contrast and color balance in line with the rest of the image
Model: Sweet Romance
In the above example, a line has been drawn showing where the selection was drawn for this purpose. On this 12mpx original, a feather value of 250px was used to feather the effect.
The important part is learning to recognize this condition and working from that knowledge.
To discuss the color shift phenomena I will use an image in which the color shift was so dramatic that I decided to use it “as is”.
Model: Melissa Trout
This image really demonstrates the typical shift caused by the difference in color temperature between the sky (very cold) and the surrounding earth and buildings (usually much warmer).
With this diagram I hope to show that windows act like lenses: they invert the image projected through them. Anyone who has used a view camera will remember that the image on the ground glass is inverted.
What this means is that the cold blue light from the sky is projected toward the bottom of the frame while the warmer light reflected from the building across the street is projected up, toward the top of the frame.
Normally I would have drawn a selection from approx 2/3 of the way to the top on the right margin diagonally down roughly through Melissa’s left breast then almost to the bottom of the frame on the left. After feathering this selection with a setting of around 150px, the “Variations”, “Brightness and Contrast”, “Hue and Saturation” and perhaps other PS controls would have been used to “even up” the colors and contrasts. As mentioned, I found the shift so striking that I decided to use this image just as it came from the camera.
The term “Special Effects” might be overstating things a bit, but in this last section I would like to suggest some methods of modifying the feel of an image by using available light and exposure to control contrast.
Model: Raven Le Faye
Backlighting can be very effective in creating a dreamy feel.
Two factors can be used to enhance this:
- exposure
- aperture
A relatively high EV setting will also contribute to this high key effect. Once again, digital cameras provide some advantages. These scenes are quite difficult to meter accurately when using film. The image preview feature of modern cameras allows us to effectively do clip tests while shooting: I set the preview to show highlight clipping and allow the background to become blown out while maintaining detail in the important bits (model’s face and skin tones).
Another backlit shot. The one above was in a rather light colored room and the source was a large patio door. This gave us an “awash with light” situation.
Model: Samantha Christian
This one of Samantha was shot in a relatively dark and very large room, so there isn’t nearly as much light being reflected back from the room itself. Also, by carefully positioning Samantha between the windows, a nice rim lighting was achieved.
The next two photos give an idea of how strong an effect lens flare can have on contrast.
Model: Tiana Hunter
We were shooting in an old factory. I was seated across the room from Tiana. The sun had gone a bit to the West, and so I was actually sitting in the sunlight coming through the high bank of windows camera left.
I asked Tiana to hold each pose for two clicks. I used my hand as a lens shade for one, and let the sun fall into the lens on the next. In some shots the lens flare was nothing short of spectacular.
Model: Tiana Hunter
This image was shot in exactly the same light conditions as the one above (eleven frames later) but this is one of the ones in which I protected the lens from direct sunlight.
Awash With Light
Model: Tiana Hunter
As mentioned above, a light colored room with lots of windows can provide relatively high levels of softness by diffusing the light.
This is basically a two source image as described in part one. The room is white and small, with lots of windows, so deep shadows exist almost nowhere, giving an angelic appearance.
A similar shot in the same room:
Model: Tiana Hunter
A slightly different approach to “awash with light”: This room has windows on three of the four walls. It combines backlight with fill from both sides, as well as some reflected off the fourth wall behind the camera position.
Model: Samantha Christian
—-
Footnote for Model : My current shooting preferences call for as little equipment as possible—usually one camera body and one lens. This is not for any reasons of purism, or even a need to avoid artificial light. This preference has evolved for me mainly for one reason: The fewer distractions, the better. Over the years I have realized that (for me at least) there is an inverse relationship between the amount of equipment involved and the level of communication with models.
Sometimes we see photographers in the forums here on Model asking about and striving for “style”. Often the tools one uses combines with the artistic outlook of the photographer to become that person’s style. For me this is analogous to what constitutes a model’s style: The way their body moves; the ways in which they choose to emote and use body language. If we let these things happen they will IMHO be much more organic than attempting to forcibly produce a style.
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