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4 Ways To Click Stunning Outdoor Photos Without A Reflector

Published by WPC Official Account on Jan'07,2023

0 | 720


4 Ways To Click Stunning Outdoor Photos Without A Reflector

WPC Official Account
0 | 720 | Jun 04, 2023

For many photographers, clicking outdoor photos without a reflector might sound like shooting wedding photos without the bride! However challenging it seems, it is actually possible to click stunning outdoor photographs without using a reflector. In this article, 4 easy-follow tips are mentioned that work great for outdoor photography without a reflector.  If you are a beginner photographer with a tight budget, you can learn these quick tips to go ahead shooting outdoors boldly without spending a penny on a reflector. Even if you have one, you should learn it for emergency situations where you forget to bring the reflector to the location, or it is damaged and cannot function. 

4 Ways To Click Stunning Outdoor Photos Without A Reflector

 

Learn To Use The Contrast In The Correct Way

 

 

It is not necessary for you to click outdoor photographs just the way others do. In fact, it is not expected also. You should create your own style, making the best use of what you have got. Use the contrasts creatively, and build your own style. Fill your photos with highlights, contrasts, and shadows, make your photos look dramatic, and let them be your signature style. 

Choose The Right Time Of The Day To Shoot 

 

 

Undoubtedly, golden hour is the best time to shoot outdoors. Golden hour refers to the time just after sunrise or just before sunset. This time, the sunlight is even. Rays fall at a low angle, not directly. The light is warm, creating a golden hue that makes your subject look vibrant. Sunlight in the golden hour is the greatest source of soft light in outdoor shooting. If possible, always shoot at this time of the day. You can use apps to calculate the golden hour prior to shooting. Also, try to scout the place earlier, so that you can reach well-prepared. 

Learn To Fill shadows 

 

 

Unwanted shadows are the biggest hassle in outdoor photography. If you are not able to shoot during the golden hour and shoot at any other time of the day, you are most likely to face it. As you are not using a reflector, you need to find a natural alternative for it. It can be a window or a still water surface. Just think of it as a reflector, and position your model or subject in such a way as you had placed them if there would be a reflector. As expert photographers say, it will work like magic. 

Correct The Photos In Post-processing 

 

 

If you cannot follow any of the above tips, you can still shoot outdoors without a reflector. The job is simple. Just correct the shadows during post-processing. For that, shoot in RAW, and not JPEG or any other format. RAW files are unprocessed and contain much more data than the other formats. The data includes color shades, white balance, saturation, hue, etc. It yields a much better result in post-processing. Just lighten the shadows as necessary in any editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom, and you are all set. 

Written By Sanga Basu, Content Writer, WPC.

 


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For many photographers, clicking outdoor photos without a reflector might sound like shooting wedding photos without the bride! However challenging it seems, it is actually possible to click stunning outdoor photographs without using a reflector. In this article, 4 easy-follow tips are mentioned that work great for outdoor photography without a reflector.  If you are a beginner photographer with a tight budget, you can learn these quick tips to go ahead shooting outdoors boldly without spending a penny on a reflector. Even if you have one, you should learn it for emergency situations where you forget to bring the reflector to the location, or it is damaged and cannot function. 

4 Ways To Click Stunning Outdoor Photos Without A Reflector

 

Learn To Use The Contrast In The Correct Way

 

 

It is not necessary for you to click outdoor photographs just the way others do. In fact, it is not expected also. You should create your own style, making the best use of what you have got. Use the contrasts creatively, and build your own style. Fill your photos with highlights, contrasts, and shadows, make your photos look dramatic, and let them be your signature style. 

Choose The Right Time Of The Day To Shoot 

 

 

Undoubtedly, golden hour is the best time to shoot outdoors. Golden hour refers to the time just after sunrise or just before sunset. This time, the sunlight is even. Rays fall at a low angle, not directly. The light is warm, creating a golden hue that makes your subject look vibrant. Sunlight in the golden hour is the greatest source of soft light in outdoor shooting. If possible, always shoot at this time of the day. You can use apps to calculate the golden hour prior to shooting. Also, try to scout the place earlier, so that you can reach well-prepared. 

Learn To Fill shadows 

 

 

Unwanted shadows are the biggest hassle in outdoor photography. If you are not able to shoot during the golden hour and shoot at any other time of the day, you are most likely to face it. As you are not using a reflector, you need to find a natural alternative for it. It can be a window or a still water surface. Just think of it as a reflector, and position your model or subject in such a way as you had placed them if there would be a reflector. As expert photographers say, it will work like magic. 

Correct The Photos In Post-processing 

 

 

If you cannot follow any of the above tips, you can still shoot outdoors without a reflector. The job is simple. Just correct the shadows during post-processing. For that, shoot in RAW, and not JPEG or any other format. RAW files are unprocessed and contain much more data than the other formats. The data includes color shades, white balance, saturation, hue, etc. It yields a much better result in post-processing. Just lighten the shadows as necessary in any editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom, and you are all set. 

Written By Sanga Basu, Content Writer, WPC.