getting window light right

[danzel_c]

<p>here i attempted to have the bride angled 45 deg to the window. i didn't use any fill but probably should of. i shot from an angle that wasn't straight on because of some distracting elements behind her. when using a window as your light source should the strategy be to still have some pattern of light in mind, such as split, rembrandt, loop, butterfly, etc.?</p><div></div>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>I really like your image and although I often sound like a broken record when it comes to fill light, I think the lighting here looks fine. Primarily because you have gone with a profile shot and faced the bride into the light. If you had turned her head toward the camera then you would have needed some fill toward the shadow side of her face, preferably by using a reflector. BTW, if you don't have a reflector handy you can simply grab some white copy paper and use that for a reflector if you're shooting a close-up. Here's a shot with lighting similar to yours, I purposely put the bride near the center of the two windows so that the dark area behind her back would provide some contrast to help light her veil (scanned from film).</p><div></div>

[picturesque]

<p>As far as one tries to use the basic light patterns for a human face when shooting in any situation (given you have the control), yes, the strategy should be to use a known light pattern. There are reasons why these patterns became 'the' patterns to use--because they make the human face look good.</p>

<p>What you have is more or less rim light. I don't think you <strong>need</strong> fill light here. It looks fine to me.</p>

[rt_jones]

<p>I like the exposure. It only augments the fact she's looking out a window through blinds that are limiting the incoming light and that's exactly what she's supposed to look like. Same thing with David's sample.</p>

<p>These types of photos just "make sense" to my eyes.</p>

[danzel_c]

<p>thanks for the replies!</p>

[danzel_c]

<p>dave, i see what you mean about making the veil stand out.</p>

[steve_hovland]

<p>The image is fine as is but you may want to experiment with how you will get short light when using a window as that is better for many people. <br>

This would include both right and left so you can emphasize the best looking side. <br>

Also split light for really wide faces.<br>

And how much to compensate if you are shooting directly into a window.</p>

[senor_crocodrillo]

<p>Without a reflector, I would have shot this +1/3, maybe even +2/3. It's hard to say without the file in front of me - your file looks a little dark on my screen. If you're shooting RAW, you can always bring it back in post and it 'll give you a little more to work with in the shadows. It's generally a good thing to slightly overexpose with RAW files.</p>

[ed_te_pas]

<p>Certainly with lace curtain you have to consider DOL (depth of light). The window becomes one big soft box. So the closer the bride stands to the window the faster it gets darker. A bride lit by window light standing in the middle of the room would have about the same exposure all over her face. But when she is closer to the window the light fall off becomes more apparent. Certainly with darker ladies this could be an issue. Of course fill light depends on the size and color of the room or reflector/bounced flash.<br /> With dark bride the distance between her a the window is about 6 feet.<br /> <img src="http://www.xs4all.nl/~cadply/forum/windowl-1.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="493" /></p>

<p><img src="http://www.xs4all.nl/~cadply/forum/windowl-2.jpg" alt="" width="499" height="750" /></p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p><em>"Dave, i see what you mean about making the veil stand out."</em><br /><em> </em><br />Often it's the little details that can make a big difference. This is a really good question, I'm a bit surprised that there wasn't more comments and and sample images.</p>

<p>I'll add one more image below. Here I have another film print that was scanned, the original print had some minor blown highlites but this image helps to illustrate the dramatic light fall-off that occurs from the window to the veil. As Ed notes above, positioning the bride close to the light source, the greater the light fall-off. You just need to be sure that the bride is positioned into the light so that you don't get dark shadows on the far side or you'll need a reflector or other supplemental lighting for fill.</p><div></div>

[wedding-photography-denver]

<p>Danzel, when you use window light, its not that important to see the window. Your bride is at a good angle to the window, however, your position could be better served if you had move into a position that placed you along the window wall, as opposed to shooting into it. Sometimes it is a good idea to use the window light to provide wrap around light and from that POV, you let the window light blow out, and use it as a sort of high key style shot.</p>

<p>As for fill, you can use a reflector if you have one handy, or a pillow if in a hotel room, or a white shirt of some one nearby and bounce a -2 comp on your flash.</p>

<p>Here is an idea of you getting into the place I mean.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/10794054&size=lg">photo</a></p>

[picturesque]

<p>David W.--I think Danzel said above that he shot into the window because there were distracting elements behind the bride if he shot with himself against the window wall. However, sometimes, those distracting elements are so much in the shadow because of the light fall off, that they don't show up much. One can also use shallow DOF to blur out backgrounds.</p>

<p>Another found object to use for a reflector is the bride's own train. Good for head and shoulders backgrounds too.</p>

[danzel_c]

<p>that's correct nadine, i didn't stand parallel to the window because the corner behind her was a mess. i actually do have a reflector. i'll be sure and take it with me to this saturday's wedding. great points about light fall-off! i'll be sure and keep that in mind</p>

[bill_clark___minnetonka_mi]

<p>Photograph as captured. B&W made in CS4<br /> Window Light Photograph.<br /> Bride getting ready. Small room. Distractions. What to do? Find a spot. Clear stuff out of the way. Stage the photograph.<br /> Window not in view. I like that.<br /> Body turned away from the light.<br /> Face is toward the light. <br /> 2/3rd's view of the face.<br /> Notice the position of the arms, hands. Obvious she is putting on her ear rings. For the second time! Ever so slightly moved the veil into the light.<br /> No reflector. Light pretty flat but some shadow on her left nose. <br /> On left is color in wall. I vignetted the color photo & soften the skin. <br /> B&W looks better to me.<br /> Photo made just moments before the B&G saw each other for the first time.<br>

Elegant, as least the thoughts of my clients. And that's important!<br /><br /> Hope this helps you.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[bill_clark___minnetonka_mi]

<p>Here is the color version, cropped.<br /> I try to look at each photo & how to make a better image the next time.<br /> Hands could be better positioned so as more of the edge of the right hand (where her thumb is, by rotating it just a little) would show and not so much of the top of the hand.</p>

<p>Brides are always nervous! I should of had her move her right arm a wee bit from her body as it would slim it up and it would look more natural. Not that she needed slimming!</p>

<p>Hope this helps you as to what goes through my mind when making photographs.</p>

<p>Best to Your Success!</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[steve_hovland]

<p>Distracting items in the background can also be reduced by blurring them in Photoshop. You wouldn't want to do this on a lot of pictures, but for this signature "lady in waiting" shot it would be worth it.</p>