This week’s theme is window light. Window light can actually create various dramatically different looks, but I find it’s mostly flattering or interesting (and sometimes both). Below are some examples of different ways to use it, followed by some tips.

When the sun is low in the sky and coming directly through the window, you can end up with some harsher shadows, like you would if you were shooting outside. If the sun is higher, the window will provide a softer, more even light. I actually couldn’t find an example of this. I guess I favour more dramatic types of light.
Having your subject face towards a window when the rest of the room is full of a lot of window light can add a bit of a pretty highlight on the front of their face, but still leave their entire face fairly well lit. This can be very flattering. Both of these images had a window at the front-side of the subject, closer to the camera, as well as directly to the side.
For these (taken at a workshop given by Ryan Brenizer back in 2011), we closed the blinds down to a very small gap and the rest of the room was pitch black.
This image is backlit by the window, meaning the light is mostly coming from behind them. This might be a bit tricky to expose if you’re using auto mode on a camera, but could be very easy on a cell phone (tap on the subject to expose for them). If you’re finding that aiming towards the window makes your image seem hazy or low contrast, change your angle a bit so the light isn’t hitting your lens directly.
This is similar to the two above, but she’s facing into the light and it’s not quite so much brighter than the room, creating a flattering even light on the front of her face and leaving the side/back in shadow.
This is similar to the above image, but the rest of the room is very dark compared to the window.
If the rest of the room is a little darker or only has windows on one side, you can end up with a very dramatic side light effect.

Here are some tips on using window light:

  1. Watch out for mixed white balance. That basically means light coming from two different kinds of sources, like window light (which is usually kind of blue) plus overhead lighting (which is usually more orange). When you have two different colours of light, they can create some really ugly skin tones and colours in your image. This may not be as crucial if there are no people in your photo.
  2. Using more dramatic, directional window light can emphasize texture and create shadows you may not want in a photo of a person. If someone has very rough skin or a lot of wrinkles, and doesn’t like those things, then I suggest avoiding side light. Having them face towards or away from the window will give you a more even, universally flattering look.
  3. If you’re struggling with getting enough light on your subject without cranking your ISO way up, move your subject closer to the window, which will make them brighter. Also avoid having the window behind your subject, since they’ll be in the shade of their own body. Same thing goes for inanimate objects, of course.

If you have any questions, join us in the Facebook group. I’ll be checking in there daily to see your work and help you achieve the best results.

If you’re just finding this now, you can check out the full list and more information on the challenge here. You can follow me on Instagram at @documentyourdaytoday and use the hashtag #dtd52weeks so others doing the challenge can see your work.