using sunlight as susbstitute for flash

Hi, does any of you know if there are any websites which teach the tricks of using sunlight instead of flash? i have taken a few succesfull pictures of products using light from the window, but would want to see if its possible to use grids, barndoors etc and other things on my windows, as i have plenty sun light, but no space and $$$ to go overvboard on lighting equipment.

or am i just playing around like this?

i maily want to use it for food photography, products etc.

Thanks

Marco

Translucent and black panels and reflectors might be good modifiers to start out with to use with sunlight lighting. Use translucent panel to soften the sunlight and the black panel to block off the sun from certain areas of the scene. Use the reflectors to redirect some sunlight into the shadow areas.

Just be aware that the sun is a moving target so your setup from an hour or two ago may no longer be good without readjustment.

Reflectors and other sunlight modifiers are a great way to go. Remember that you will need an assistant or four to keep them all in place. You can do this with stands but you will loose your flexibility and the wind can really get a hold on these kites!

Try gobos! You cast all kinds of great shadows onto your setup. A lot of items around the house can work for this too.

macobee wrote in post #5483086
Hi, does any of you know if there are any websites which teach the tricks of using sunlight instead of flash? i have taken a few succesfull pictures of products using light from the window, but would want to see if its possible to use grids, barndoors etc and other things on my windows, as i have plenty sun light, but no space and $$$ to go overvboard on lighting equipment.

or am i just playing around like this?

i maily want to use it for food photography, products etc.

Thanks

Marco

Venetian Blinds are great light modifiers, especially if you are in a room with windows on two walls. You can adjust the blinds so that they let more or less light in and if they are white they can redirect the light into the ceiling.

The best way (usually) to use this kind of blind is when there's no direct sunlight coming through them. That avoids the "slat" look. That may well be a nice effect for some shots but indirect sunlight is going to be more useful, more often. If you are looking to select on room in your house for this, think about the one with the windows that face north. That's because the sun is NEVER in the north, and you can't have that direct sunlight problem..

After that big chunks of white foamcore will provide cheap reflectors, and if you buy the right kind, they're white on one side and black on the other. That foamcore is available at art supply houses and you can save a LOT of money if you ask if they have any damaged foamcore around. What do you care if there's a corner dinged? You'll ding it within minutes of getting it home! That piece is useless to someone trying to mount a print, but it's JUST what you want and CHEAP too!