Bill Mason Images wrote:
...means just that. No artificial light source on the model. I see "professional" photographers with captions under headshots claiming they are natural light when there is clearly a sharply defined shadow under their chin and a catchlight in the center of their pupils. Those can only be created from an on camera flash since the model is clearly not in direct sunlight. This seems to be another example of photographers that don't really understand their craft.

Several of the shots in my port were done with natural light, excpet for the shots in the alley, they were done in virtual darkness.

Chuck StJohn wrote:
Don't get stuck on the catchlight trap...I change mine so no one knows how it was lit . . . mischievous but it's fun . . .

I've been shooting for over thirty years. I know an on camera flash shadow when I see one. Personally I don't think these photographers are creative enough to know how to drop in fake catchlights.

Bill Mason Images wrote:
...means just that. No artificial light source on the model. I see "professional" photographers with captions under headshots claiming they are natural light when there is clearly a sharply defined shadow under their chin and a catchlight in the center of their pupils. Those can only be created from an on camera flash since the model is obviously not in direct sunlight. This seems to be another example of photographers that don't really understand their craft.

You're wrong on this one....... "natural light" CAN be "modified" with reflectors & gobos to achieve "studio lighting effects". I do it all the time without "artificial light".
For that matter....."Catch lights" can always be added later. And by the way, they (catch lights) should be at the 11:00 O'clock or 1:00 O'clock position .... not centered.

Bill Mason Images wrote:

I've been shooting for over thirty years. I know an on camera flash shadow when I see one. Personally I don't think these photographers are creative enough to know how to drop in fake catchlights.

Just who are you implying as "these photographers"?

Laura Ferreira wrote:
au natural

That is an outstanding photo... I don't know why you don't have it up.

Bill Mason Images wrote:
...means just that. No artificial light source on the model. I see "professional" photographers with captions under headshots claiming they are natural light when there is clearly a sharply defined shadow under their chin and a catchlight in the center of their pupils. Those can only be created from an on camera flash since the model is obviously not in direct sunlight. This seems to be another example of photographers that don't really understand their craft.

I agree. I see local photographers bragging about their natural/existing light work in their profiles and they a 30% or 40% of their images shot with flash and fill flash. I do not know if they do not understand the concept or if they are just outright liars.

FKVPhotoGraphics wrote:
Don't be fooled by catchlights.

I do a lot of available light shoots and still get catchlights from the foamcore reflectors or octagonal white umbrellas.

Only thing that bugs me is when you use available light all the "real" pros seem to pooh pooh the idea as if it's only for amatures.

Can't be a "pro" unless you hit them with a gizillion watts of power!!!!

HEY!!! The GWC code strictly prohibits public revealing of trade secrets.... so lets keep the hidden tazers to ourselves please...

Bill Mason Images wrote:
...means just that. No artificial light source on the model. I see "professional" photographers with captions under headshots claiming they are natural light when there is clearly a sharply defined shadow under their chin and a catchlight in the center of their pupils. Those can only be created from an on camera flash since the model is obviously not in direct sunlight. This seems to be another example of photographers that don't really understand their craft.

Catch lights here.  Where are they coming from?  This model is standing in shade and I'm using no reflectors.

Marc Grant wrote:

Catch lights here.  Where are they coming from?  This model is standing in shade and I'm using no reflectors.

This isn't a fair fight Marc, you are the master of natural light and natural reflectors.

Ed Stevenson wrote:
This isn't a fair fight Marc, you are the master of natural light and natural reflectors.

WOW!  I appreciate that Ed but that's far from the truth.  There are a lot of great natural light shooters.  For those who say it's easier than studio lighting I say try it.  You're either putting the light where you need it on the model or you "find" the kind of light that will give you the effect you desire and place the model in it.

The catch lights are from her jacket! 

The catch lights here are from a white ceramic tile floor with sunlight flooding it.  The fill light comes from the white walls in the room.



If I were to give away one secret, it's that I'm an edge shooter.  I like to place the model where shade meets a strong light source, "the edge". 

ELAN IMAGE STUDIO wrote:



au naturale... dam i miss this studio!

Who needs a studio?  The world is our studio! 

Nice work!

ELAN IMAGE STUDIO wrote:

au naturale... dam i miss this studio!

I can understand why....

Star wrote:

OMG! Fabulous!

Larry Brown Camera wrote:

You're wrong on this one....... "natural light" CAN be "modified" with reflectors & gobos to achieve "studio lighting effects". I do it all the time without "artificial light".
For that matter....."Catch lights" can always be added later. And by the way, they (catch lights) should be at the 11:00 O'clock or 1:00 O'clock position .... not centered.

I'm not wrong...your description of using reflectors and gobos is still using natural light. I wasn't talking about modifying light. I'm talking about using flash or other artificial lighting and calling it natural lighting.