How to Make a Natural Light Photography Studio in My Home

Natural light portraits don't require expensive lighting equipment.

Photography studios typically contain any number of artificial lighting solutions, such as strobes, spotlights, lamps and flash units. Such lighting equipment is costly and takes up space in the studio, so photographers with a limited budget or storage space can make a natural light photography studio in a spare room or other available space in the home.

Things You'll Need

• Backdrop
• Props (optional)
• Reflectors (optional)
• Window curtains (optional)

Instructions

1. Pick a room or an area of the house that has several windows or other openings through which light comes through. An optimal setting is a room with light coming in from several directions at once.

2. Cover windows or other openings with curtains or drapes. The key to using natural light with your subject is controlling the direction and intensity of the lighting. If you have an east- or west-facing window and are shooting during sunrise or sunset, you will need a thin, neutral-colored window covering to diffuse the sunlight.

3. Set up the backdrop in an area that is getting light from multiple directions. Angle the backdrop so that it is not getting any harsh light from a single direction. If there is too much light hitting the subject from a single direction, the subject will have harsh, angular shadows.

4. Set up reflectors as needed if you do not have enough windows or openings in the studio to light the subject from multiple directions.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to change the backdrop, reflector and subject positioning as the sun’s position changes throughout the day.

• If you are using reflectors with multiple coverings, switch to the silver or gray covering during sunset or sunrise shots to reduce the golden hues. Likewise, if shooting at midday, use the gold covering to add warm light to the subject.

• Props with shiny surfaces may show reflections or cause flares when shooting. Adjust props as needed during the shoot to compensate for the change in lighting direction and intensity.

References

• “Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers”; Christopher Grey; 2004
• LindsayHorn.com; Natural Light Studio Set-Up for Photographers; Lindsay Horn; February 2011

Resources

• Digital Photography School; Shooting Portraits like a Pro on a Budget; Alexis Godschalk
• “Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera”; Bryan Peterson; 2010