Masterclass

SHOOTING INSIDE WITH AMBIENT LIGHT

S

ometimes if a location shoot has been planned, the
weathermaynotallowyoutoshootoutside,and you
mayneedtomakepracticaluseofthespaceinaclient’s
home to produce a portrait. Understanding how best to
utilizetheavailablelightwillbekeytogettingtheresults
thatyourequire.Shootinginsideusingambientlightcanbe
difficult, with lower lighting levels, furniture and
unfamiliar surroundings to deal with.

Choosing the correct equipment and knowing its
limitationsisofgreatimportancetoachievingtheresults
yourequire.Portraitlensesthatallowthephotographerto
stopdowntoawideraperturewillbeofbenefithere,due
to thelower levels oflight. Themoresuitable ones are
primelenses,astheywillallowthewidestaperturevalues
of around ƒ1.4 or ƒ1.8.

Inthesecircumstancesyoumayalsobeshortonspace,and
lensesmustbeselectedcarefully;dependingonthesensor
size,portraitlensessuchasthe50mm,85mmor105mmor
azoomlenssuchasthe24–70wouldbeperfect.Youmight
alsochoosetouselensessuchasthe70–200,ifappropriate
to the space available and style of shot.

Youwillfindthatthelightindoorsisofafairlydiffused
naturealready,duetothewaythelightisbouncedaround
wallsandceilings.Althoughthisisalovelysoftlight,quite
oftentheleveloflightisfairlylowandyouwillneedtobe