Any photographers use natural light only?

Light is light, it doesn't matter where it comes from, it's what you do with it that counts.

I mostly do if I can, still a learning process.

i use mainly natural light. probably more than 99% of my shots. the rest is fill flash during the day. not for any real philosophical reason. the real reason is that i find flash photography a whole new ball game which i haven't learnt enough about yet...

Ah how I love natural light! No other light would let me get a pic of a M5 and a sunset

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I shoot more natural light than with flash, mainly because I am limited in both knowledge and equipment on the lighting side.

I've seen work by talented strobists, and if you have the lights and knowledge you can do incredible things. Good lighting can make shots that natural light never will.

picturecrazy wrote in post #5780544
NO.

All I can say is... WHY LIMIT YOURSELF?????

I shoot available light a lot. I shoot flash a lot. I shoot mixed light a lot. I never understood why people are like, "oh... shooting natural light is the best... everything else sucks... blah blah blah...."

That's like someone saying, "I only shoot between 24-50mm"
All I can say is... WHY LIMIT YOURSELF?

There are DEFINITELY situations that are better suited for one technique or another, one lens or another, etc...

I just think variety rules all. I just don't feel like delivering 400 shots with completely obliterated fuzzy backgrounds because I shot at F/1.2 all day.

Do you think these two photographers are "limiting themselves"?

www.jessicaclaire.net
www.jasminestarblog.co​m

They're two of the top wedding photogs right now and they shoot exclusively natural light with "completely obliterated fuzzy backgrounds" (except for reception). lol
And somehow they are extremely sought after. (Jessica Claire is an exception, but she makes $15k per wedding minimum...just as an example)

Also, I happen to find that it's way more relaxing and fun shooting with natural light. Because we're not fumbling around with flashes, strobes, extra settings etc... and let's us focus on more important things like
getting the moment, composition etc... less hassle!

Just my 2 cents

I personally prefer to work with natural light. I have no problem using a flash if I can't get the shot without it though. Limiting yourself to a single focal length or natural lighting will allow you to think outside the box and open up some creative possibilities. Using flash can also open up new and exciting possibilities that you can't get without a flash. I guess it comes down to each shot, and what kind of look you are trying to get.

i would love to figure out how to use flash well, but it's hard enough trying to figure out natural light. i reckon by the time i'm ready to 'graduate' to flash, i might not have the strength to use an SLR!

adam8080 wrote in post #5782300
I personally prefer to work with natural light. I have no problem using a flash if I can't get the shot without it though. Limiting yourself to a single focal length or natural lighting will allow you to think outside the box and open up some creative possibilities. Using flash can also open up new and exciting possibilities that you can't get without a flash. I guess it comes down to each shot, and what kind of look you are trying to get.

wow, just saw your website, and i have to say, the pics are wonderful. don't want to disparage flash photograpy, but with results like that, who needs flash?!?!

Learn flash with a fully manual flash. You will learn to only use it when you need to, and how to effectively use it in situations where you need it instead of just popping it off at full power. And they are cheap!

i try to but a fill flash just works wonders

cricketboy75 wrote in post #5782404
wow, just saw your website, and i have to say, the pics are wonderful. don't want to disparage flash photography, but with results like that, who needs flash?!?!

Thanks! The trick to using flash is not being able to tell in the final picture that you used it. Many of those pictures were taken using flash.

adam8080 wrote in post #5782434
Thanks! The trick to using flash is not being able to tell in the final picture that you used it. Many of those pictures were taken using flash.

i'm no expert, but i agree with you. that's why i only use fill flash and i have an old 420ex. if i find myself having to use flash at night, i use a constant f/5.6 at around 1/60 of a second and bounce flash. i find that produces acceptable results, or at least heaps better than automatic and straight at the subject. any other tips beyond that?

Direct flash flash sucks. The only time I use it is when I have nothing to bounce it off of, and it is too dark not to use it. Bounce it off anything you can find, you shirt, your hand, the wall behind you, but be aware of what those will do to the light.

Open up your aperture. The larger your aperture, the more ambient light you will let it and allow the scene to look more natural.

Bump up the ISO. Just because you are using a flash doesn't mean that you should shoot at ISO 200. Use the flash in addition to the light that is already there. I normally shoot at ISO 1600 at 2.8 with a flash; just make sure you don't under expose the image. And shooting RAW will help your mistakes.

Slow down your shutter speed. Do you really need to shoot at 1/60 or can you get away with 1/30. Lean up against a wall or use a tripod/monopod to steady your shot. A little motion blur never hurt anyone. Watch our for camera shake though.

Did I mention bounce the flash!

It takes some practice.

And try not to overpower any ambient light!