Use the Sun as a Graphic Element with Alan M. Thornton

Since location portraiture is often, well, outside on location somewhere, we are often at the mercy of the light provided. Although professionally I am responsible for scheduling shoots when conditions are optimal, sometimes Mother Nature, or the client, have other ideas in mind.

This can be a real boon for me creatively, and you as well. Even though some of the best light for portraits is early in the morning, or late in the afternoon when the sun is lower on the horizon, don’t discount what the sun can provide in the middle of the day. Since I’m lighting my subject with strobes and speed lights, I can easily ‘over power’ the sun, and simply use it as a graphic element in an image as a hair light, edge light, or rim light. Is it breaking a few photo rules? Sure it is, but that is part of the fun of location portraiture!

Learn more from Alan in his workshop
Lighting Portraits on Location
June 20 - 26, 2010

Visit his web site www.amtproductions.com to see what he's up to.