Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this whole “natural light” thing for my indoor photos, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I wanted to get that soft, dreamy look without having to buy a bunch of fancy equipment. Here’s how it went down:
Finding the Right Spot
First, I scouted my apartment. I walked around, phone in hand, taking test shots at different times of the day. I noticed which windows got the most light and when. My living room, facing east, was the winner. It gets this amazing, soft light in the morning.
Setting the Stage
Next, I needed to prep the area. I moved some furniture around to create a clear space near the window. I also made sure the window was clean – seriously, smudges can make a difference!
Experimenting with Angles
- I started by placing my subject (a cute little succulent, in this case) directly in front of the window. The light was a bit harsh, so…
- I tried moving it a few feet away. The light got softer, but it was also a little dim.
- Finally, I found the sweet spot – about three feet from the window, slightly to the side. The light was bright enough but still had that soft quality I was after.
Diffusing the light
Even at the right distance, the light could still get a bit intense sometimes. I don’t own a professional diffuser, so I got creative. I grabbed the white curtan and I had hung before. The light that now came was super soft.
Bouncing the Light
I noticed some shadows on the side of the succulent opposite the window. To fix this, I grabbed a piece of white foam board I had lying around.I placed the board on the opposite side, and it was a total game changer.
The Result
After all that fiddling around, I finally got the shots I wanted! The succulent looked amazing, bathed in soft, natural light. It was definitely a learning process, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It just goes to show, you don’t need a ton of expensive gear to get great lighting – just a little patience and some experimentation.
