Indoors light
Whenever we take pictures indoors, we can use artificial light, natural light (sunlight) or a combination of both. In this lesson, we are going to learn how to use light from a window or natural light.
In order to take pictures indoors, we apply the same techniques we use when taking pictures outdoors with sunlight. The difference lies in the fact that the light we have available indoors is not as intense as direct sunlight. This means we will have to use an open diaphragm, or low sensitivity, or a low shutter speed, or a tripod, or any combination of the above.
Always remember that using high sensitivity can result in an image with "noise". Test different sensitivities with your camera to study the result. This will enable you to know which is the right one to use.
If you're using a shutter speed lower than 1/60 or 1/30, generally, it is better to use a tripod to avoid getting a moved picture.
Another important matter to consider when we are taking pictures indoors using artificial light is the colour temperature of light. If we take pictures indoors using natural light, we won't have any problems and light will be white. On the other hand, if we take pictures indoors under tungsten light or fluorescent tubes, the picture may come out with a yellow tone (tungsten) or a green tone (fluorescent tube) if the necessary corrections aren't made. Unless, of course, you are looking for that particular tone for some reason.
Light coming from a window is one of the most interesting light situations when we are taking pictures. Generally, it renders photographs with high contrast but we can always use some kind of surface to reflect light and fill shades. Usually, photographers avoid using light from a window when sunlight is coming directly through it. This is because sun rays will generate too much contrast, and the photograph will most likely have white, burned parts. However, this does not mean that we can't get incredible pictures if we use this type of illumination correctly.
This picture was taken using sunlight coming in through a window exclusively. The model is standing in front of the window and the dark lines are part of the window frame. The window was made from several pieces of glass divided by wooden frames.
For this picture, I measured light because I wanted to get more detail in the illuminated portions of the model. I used an ISO 200 with an exposition of f/8 at 1/60. Since it was direct sunlight, it was quite intense. As a result, I was able to use an intermediate diaphragm and enough shutter speed for the picture not to be moved.
As you can see, there is plenty of contrast between the bright and shaded parts of the picture and most of the detail found in the shadows was lost. As a matter of fact, I wanted that detail lost.
