Windowlit Portraits

Daylight Is Easily Accessible and the Obvious Choice for Photographing Portraits, but What’s the Best Way to Use It Indoors? Caroline Schmidt Explains Your Options…

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When it comes to flattering, versatile and malleable lighting, daylight can’t be beaten. it’s free, plentiful and ready to use if you know how to control and manipulate it for creative effect. Any window or doorway can work as a great indoor light source, so long as the sun isn’t streaming directly through. north-facing windows generally offer the most consistent light, but any opening will do; you may just need to wait for it to change direction or diffuse any strong light. the size of your window also plays a part in the quality of the light: the bigger the window, the softer and broader the light.

Once you’ve chosen your light source, you need to decide on the effect you want. side-lighting, front-lighting or back lighting each come with their own set of considerations. how you position your subject in relation to the light – proximity and angle – have a massive impact, as well as your method of diffusion. net curtains and indirect light are popular solutions, but you may also want to have a reflector close to hand to fill in shadows in the case of side o