After I posted this previous faq post, the following topic came up and I’m so glad it did because it’s one of my favourites:
It would be amaaazing to have a post written about finding/seeing nice light and natural reflectors. The light in your photos is always so beautiful!!
The more I shoot, the more in tune I am with my surroundings. As in, how will this wall behind me affect the couple standing in front of me? How about that other building adjacent to us? What if we move over there, where the gravel will bounce the light just so…It’s an ongoing search to find the perfect light, even on an overcast day, and one that I become increasingly aware of, the more I photograph.
Shane and I were waiting for our shuttle at our hotel in Vegas after WPPI. We had some time to kill and something caught my eye…so I grabbed my camera, I grabbed Shane, and had him model for me. On one side was this silver wall that was bouncing the sunlight like crazy, and then across stood our hotel, a cream color that in turn, also bounced back the light. A double reflector!
Another example comes from the wedding we just photographed in Whistler. The skies were clear and in this photo, the sun shining behind the couple. However, they were wonderfully lit from the light bouncing off the path in front as well and the sun was high enough that it didn’t directly shine into my lens. We were also lucky enough to have a bank of reflective snow off to the side…
One more photo, from the Virgin Islands and one of my favourite engagement sessions. We began at sunrise, so the light was beautifully soft. As we kept shooting, and the sun rose in the sky, we moved locations to this rundown house. The walls bounced the light back and forth, and I was in my happy place…
There were a few other great questions that came in, but to keep this post from going too long, I’ll save those for next time :) Hope this helps and as always, feel free to post further questions by commenting or sending me an email. Happy Monday!
Alouise says
Awesome post. you are amazing!
Meredith Sledge says
This is great! Thanks Mikaela!!! The one where the snow was reflecting as well as the lighter concrete is probably my favorite photo I’ve ever seen on your blog. It’s just beautiful!
Charleen says
Can I ask what bag you are using in your bride and groom shot? and how do you find it?
Mikaela says
Charleen that’s my Kelly Moore bag! Love it. You can find it and others here: http://kellymoorebag.com/
Kristin Nicole says
Fabulous!
Wendy Delamont Lees says
Great tips…thanks for sharing!