Category: window light

Window Light shooting with Fujifilm X-E2 & Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G

by Stanley Learywindow light
 
Fujifilm X-E2, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, Nikon AI Mount Lens to Fujifilm FX Mount Camera Adapter, ISO 2500, ƒ-wide open, 1/500

Window light is not all the same when it comes to shooting portraits. Having your subject face directly towards the window gives you a very flat light, similar to your on-camera flash. In the second photo, the subject is looking straight at the window.

In the first photo, the subject is about 45º from the window.

Fujifilm X-E2, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, Nikon AI Mount Lens to Fujifilm FX Mount Camera Adapter, ISO 5000, ƒ-wide open, 1/500

Notice how the face has more shape from the light coming from the side rather than straight onto the front?

Fujifilm X-E2, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, Nikon AI Mount Lens to Fujifilm FX Mount Camera Adapter, ISO 5000, ƒ-wide open, 1/500

Here the window is directly behind the subject. The room is kicking the light back to help fill in the shadows. You are very close to creating a silhouette like the one below.

Just because the subject has window light doesn’t mean it is excellent. It is the direction of that window light that makes a HUGE difference.

I suggest doing some test shots where you shoot, moving the subject and you. Then before you do the actual photos, pull them up on your computer and examine them. Then pick the few angles you liked the most, recreate those lighting conditions, and shoot away now looking for great expressions.

When window light isn’t enough

by Stanley LearyOff Camera Flash / umbrella modifier / window light
This was shot on a rainy day and to make the window light work, I added lighting.

Many times I am caught in a room on a cloudy or overcast day. The light from the window is just not enough.

To make the above photograph I put an Alienbees B1600 monobloc light with a white shoot through large umbrella just outside the professor’s window. To trigger the light I used the PocketWizard Plus II reciever and the PocketWizard Plus II Transmitter. 

Inside the light needed just a little help to keep the shadows from going too dark. To soften the shadows I put another Alienbees B1600 with just a bare-bulb on a light stand and put it as close to the ceiling as I could.

The outside light was on full power and the bare-bulb light inside was at 1/8 – 1/16th power.

Below is the lighting diagram for the setup.

Next time you need sunlight through a window and you don’t have a sunny day to help, use off camera flash to create it for you.