Creating an artificial "natural light"

These images and diagram show you how you can re-create the sense of natural light even when you are locked in your studio.

In our photographs we have used a Lastolite box, which is normally used to provide a high-key background.

The reason that window light looks so lovely is in essence because it is a very large, very diffuse light source. To achieve the same thing naturally then you must also create a large, diffused source.

In this case the Lastolite box is 8 feet by 7 feet. So quite a large source. You can achieve the same effect by large reflectors - 8ft x 4ft polystyrene insulator boards will work for this. Or you can push your strobe light into a roll of white paper and let the light reflect back.

Just to emphasise how natural this light is, I've treated this image to a mock cyanotype print - to invoke those bygone days of portraiture when natural light was your only choice.

Model: IvoryFlame

You can learn how to develop your own lighting, posing and directing skills with our extensive and intensive range of video programs available on DVD or download.

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