Friday, August 24, 2012

SHEER Beauty

 
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The best part about summer portrait photography is the
endless sunlight!
 
 
Once I learned how to see and capture it,
I started to PLAY with it.
 
First the SEEING part.
This took me a long time to grasp, but it is as easy
as stopping to notice where your the sun is falling on your subject.
 
By placing the sun to the subject's back, you get
beautiful rim light around the hair.
 
 
Back light will also virtually eliminate those
awful face shadows.
 
 
Now for the PLAY part.
 
I have been looking for props to play with the light.

                                     I found this long length of sheer fabric at the thrift store
and had lovely Sagal hold it up and let the sun shine through.
 
 
I actually held up the fabric against the light in the store
and could imagine how it would photograph with the sun.
 
 
 
The same thing happened when I found this pretty netted canopy.
 
 
I knew it would glow with the sun.
 
 
Sheer fabric makes a brilliant prop in sunshine.
 
 
Sheer fabric on clothing is awesome, too! 
 
Back lighting will illuminate the sheer fabric.
Look for that spot in the grass where the sun is shining through
and place your subject in that spot with the sun
BEHIND them...
 
LUSCIOUS!
(Can you see the sunny spot?)
 
 
 
 
Anything sheer will PLAY well...try a shawl.
 
 
 
 
One thing DIFFICULT to shoot in sunlight is someone
wearing glasses.
 
This is when I really have to pay attention to every shot.
 
While looking through the viewfinder, I carefully check the glasses
for glare.
 
 
If I see glare, I have the subject tilt their chin down just a tad.
 
 
That usually solves the problem...
 
 
There will always be a bit of glare, but using the tilt trick,
and checking the glasses through your viewfinder in EVERY shot,
you can dramatically improve the situation.
 
 
If that doesn't work, move your subject around until the
light hits the glasses differently.
 
I love Natalie in her glasses...adds so much of her
PERSONALITY!
 
 
I also like that Natalie, at age 17 is an avid photographer, too!
 
 
To learn more about how to capture and edit
back lit photos check out my
 
Have fun playing with the sunlight!
 

18 comments:

  1. Oh wow ♥ Gorgeous series of photos! Made me feel to warm and happy. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work!

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  2. Gorgeous photos, all of them!

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  3. Great advice! I've been working on doing more with backlighting. It's so stinkin' fun!
    nancy
    http://nancyvnjourney.blogspot.com/

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  4. I love backlighting. These photos are lovely. Thanks for sharing your tips!

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  5. I'm definitely checking out the older post you linked because these photos are gorgeous! I'm just beginning in photography, so I love the tips.

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  6. Thanks for sharing so many wonderful tips on backlighting!! You have so many great captures. I especially love the seventh one down.

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  7. Beautiful ladies! Love the use of the shawl, it's pretty and useful.

    Thanks so much for sharing with Foto Friday,
    Lori

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  8. Great props.. love the fun shots outdoors. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

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  9. Delicious photos, poetic and full of joy and happiness, very nice. Greetings.

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  10. these are fantastic! Joining you from sweet shot Tuesday.

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  11. These are great tips! I love photography and portraits are my favorite! They are beautiful. Found you on Tuesday's Tips and Tricks. ~Courtney

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  12. Great tips, thanks for sharing! I really love how the netting canopy looked. It gives me an idea for a shoot with my daughter!

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  13. you always have such beautiful models! I love the shots with the first girl--so pretty and whimsical!

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  14. Another gorgeous collection of photos.

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  15. The lighting with the fabric creates such a nice look!

    Thank you for linking up with The Photo show and tell last week! I enjoyed coming to your blog and sharing in this! The next link-up will be live later tonight and this week's theme is SUMMER, so look though all those great shots you took this summer and link up your best one or two. I can't wait to see what you link up!
    Nancy
    http://dosmallthingswithlove.blogspot.com

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