Lighting: Natural vs. Studio
Many photographers view one of these photography terms with a positive connotation and the other with a negative connotation.
Those who prefer natural lighting as opposed to studio lighting like natural light for the simple and airy qualities of light. Oftentimes this lighting intimidates photographers through the idea of using complicated lighting setups and gear needed to achieve a certain look. Essentially, they don’t like natural lighting because of the lack of control they have over the lighting—making them believe that natural lighting is overly basic and for the less skilled photographers.
This is a lie. The truth is, there is a time and place for both types of lighting and both can provide excellent lighting for images. As photographers, our job requires us to excel in our skills and we should master each, lighting on our journey to becoming a professional. Now, when do we use which? Let’s start with talking about the awesome things we can achieve when we use studio lighting.
First of all, you are not limited by the time of day or the weather. You have the power to control your lights. By control, you can use modifiers to change the look of your lights with the help of diffusers, a grid, a soft box. This gives you multiple looks but, in one location. Another important perk of using studio lighting, your clients will be impressed and assume you know what to do with your gear. But, even though there are great perks they also come with downsides. Studio lights can be very expensive, as you constantly want more modifiers and lights, as well as the actual cost to use the gear. Even though the perks sound like very good perks, when starting out, decide what you like better and what will better fit you and your client’s needs.
Natural lighting has lots of perks as well. For starters it’s cheap; so for you beginners, this is where I urge you to start practicing as it can teach you about hard light and soft light. Another perk of using natural light, positioning your subjects is easier as you have an instant light source instead of one you have to mess with. Downfalls to this technique: you have to find it, you have limited time periods for good lighting and of course the weather. Each of these techniques provides unique looks to images and it ultimately comes to the photographer to make the decision of which they prefer because it really is all about preferences. For example, I prefer natural lighting while doing photoshoots, as the lighting illuminates the subject's features in a softer light and becomes easier for me to edit. Which is completely different from my experience with studio lighting. I find studio lighting to not work with me the right way, or get the look I was looking for—thus I choose natural lighting for my photoshoots.
Now my young padawans, go forth and find your advantages and disadvantages with each technique and become experts in both or in the one you prefer. And as my friend Yoda would say, “Ever in your favor, may the lighting be.”