So, you are going to cover an event, most probably outdoors?

Your primary and maybe only source of light will be natural light.

Hmm, so before you go for natural light event photography, how about having some tips for the purpose?

While natural light event photography makes you confident about some exotic and classic results, that is not always the truth. If not done appropriately, your results can be a big flop.

You might have heard about the golden hour photography and its magical results. But, every event can not be in the golden hour. You might be early or late. So, for a successful natural light event photography, let us head over to a few tips that can work at all times.

Tips for Natural Light Event Photography

No matter the time of the day, natural light event photography is more aesthetic than the artificial light setup. Here are a few tips:

#1 – Be Prepared

Before you head to photograph an event, be prepared. Make a checklist like:

What time of the day is it?
How long will the event last?
What is the location?
Will it be a completely outdoor event or indoor, or both? (To list down your possible sources of light)
The weather check for the day (precisely the time of the day you need to shoot)
How many people will be there? Know your subjects.
What sort of an event is it? (personal or corporate etc.)

Collect such data before you start planning your shoot. You do not want to get caught in a snowstorm with all equipment at ready, unprepared, do you?

Also, obtain a photography checklist from your client. So, there is no confusion, and you two are on the same page.

#2 – Working with the Window Light

If your event or some of its part is indoors, your primary natural light source will be the windows. Be playful and creative with the angles here. But, how?

Here is how:

For natural light event photography indoors, aim for large windows. Large windows will help provide maximum light. The light here will be soft. Mostly, it will be limited to only one side of the area.
So, play with the windows as background or foreground. Check HN Wedding Photography to see how it works.
For a textured shot, you can capture photos by standing outside the window. Else, ensure that your subject's face is towards the window when posing to avoid any shadows.
It will be best to carry along a reflector. It might come in handy to balance the light effects. The best position for a reflector will be opposite the light source.

#3 – Working on Different Days

Not all days are the same. While some days the sky is sunny and bright, it is cloudy and gloomy - on other days. But that can not be an excuse. You have committed to natural light event photography – it has to be great!

Natural Light Event Photography on Cloudy Days

Cloudy days are a real challenge since the light keeps on changing with the movement of clouds.

How to capture the perfect shot then?

Increase the contrast between the backdrop and the subject. Again, how? Through a wide aperture.

Natural Light Event Photography on Bright Sunny Days

The way you need shelter for your eyes from the bright sunlight, your camera lens too. A neutral density filter will serve the purpose.

The subject – people, venue, arrangements etc., is already exposed to maximum light. All you need is to optimize the exposure. Play with the ISO settings and increase the shutter speed to maximum. You will get the best results.

#4 – Working on Different Times of the Day

When it comes to the time of the day, the golden hour seems to be the ultimate choice of a photographer if the circumstances allow. But that can not be a condition always. Here are the tips for different times of the day:

The Golden Hour

You have a limited time in this hour, be super quick. Keep your camera ready. Just avoid the auto settings. Opt for manual settings for aperture and shutter speed instead.

If in doubt, go for the shade or cloudy auto settings.

For more on golden hour photography, see here.

The Midday Sun

On a sunny, bright day, the sunlight will be harsh during midday. As stated earlier, go for a neutral density filter. Secondly, if you do not want any shadows, use a space in the shade like a tree.

The Twilight

The twilight is quite tricky since it appears dark but, it is not dark. The sky is a darker shade of blue that demands the photographer to be creative with the shots. Here is the tip:

Make use of a tripod for the close-up shots to avoid blur photographs.
Avoid zoom, instead move close to the subject.
The light is low - opt for a faster shutter speed lens – faster than the usual. You will have a crisp photograph.

Our Take

All events are not the same. While some require you to get up early and capture the best shots, others might happen in the evening. Your one event might have the same daylight throughout, while another may let you experience different shades of light. So, if you are an event photographer, you need to be prepared for all situations. Especially for natural light event photography, you can not say much until exposed to the light on THE day.

Be prepared for the unseen.

Happy shooting!

For more photography tips, follow HN Wedding.