How To Take Portraits With Natural Light - 11 Tips With Alan Schaller

7/29/2025 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

The art of portraiture isn't solely about the subject—it’s about how light reveals character, mood, and story. Natural light, often seen as unpredictable or limiting, is in fact one of the most powerful tools in a photographer’s arsenal. With the right techniques and an observant eye, even the harshest midday sun or softest overcast skies can be transformed into your greatest asset.

In this guide, inspired by the insights of acclaimed photographer Alan Schaller, we uncover 11 essential tips for mastering natural light portraiture—turning ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.

Creating Variety Within a Single Location

What if you could create three distinct looks within just one square meter of space? It’s not a trick—it’s all about understanding light and how to position your subject.

Front-lit Brilliance
Position your subject so their face is illuminated directly by sunlight. This setup delivers a clean, evenly lit image that brings out facial details and lends a natural glow to the skin.
The Power of Silhouette
Move your subject in front of a bright background and expose for the highlights. This creates a silhouette effect, emphasizing shape and posture over facial detail—ideal for evoking drama and mystery.
Rim Light Magic
Shoot with the light source behind your subject and expose for the brightest parts of the image. This creates a halo-like rim light that adds separation and dimensionality. For black and white work, a white shirt can heighten contrast and help your subject stand out against a darker background.

Perspective: The Silent Storyteller

Shooting from eye level is safe—but often uninspiring. By simply changing your camera’s height, you can alter the emotional tone and storytelling potential of your image.

Low Angles
Elevate your subject’s presence by shooting from below. This perspective can convey power, dignity, or grandeur, while minimizing background distractions.
High Angles
Shooting from above softens your subject, suggesting introspection or vulnerability. It can also pull the viewer into the scene, guiding attention downward.
Hip-Level Shots
Shooting from the hip offers a candid, spontaneous feel—ideal for capturing authentic expressions and moments. It allows for intimacy without interrupting the natural flow of interaction.

Reading Natural Light Like a Painter

Natural light is constantly shifting in tone, direction, and intensity. Understanding its character at different times and in different conditions is essential for making informed creative choices.

Harsh Overhead Light (Midday Sun)
Typically avoided in portraiture, this intense light can still be harnessed for stylized, high-contrast imagery. It sharpens features and casts bold shadows, but can be unflattering if not carefully managed.
Overcast Days: Nature’s Softbox
A cloudy sky diffuses light across the entire scene, wrapping your subject in soft, shadow-free illumination. This is ideal for flattering facial features and producing natural skin tones—though less effective for creating dramatic light-shape interplay.
Golden Hour & Low Sun
Just after sunrise and before sunset, the sun bathes everything in warm, directional light. This is the holy grail for portraiture, offering long shadows, rich color, and dimensional depth. Even when harsh, low sunlight can be creatively angled for rim light or interesting backlighting effects.

Lens Choice: Creative Vision Over Convention

There's no one-size-fits-all lens for portraiture. Each focal length offers unique possibilities. The key is not owning more gear, but mastering a few lenses that match your creative intent.

50mm f/1.4 – The Classic Companion
Loved for its natural perspective and dreamy bokeh, the 50mm excels in versatility. With an ND filter, you can shoot wide open in bright conditions, maintaining control over depth of field and light.
90mm – Precision and Compression
Often used in fashion and studio work, the 90mm lens compresses perspective, bringing backgrounds closer and isolating the subject. It’s ideal for tight, clean compositions with minimal distortion.
24mm – Wide-Angle with a Story
While unconventional for portraits, a 24mm lens allows you to place your subject in context. It can create intimate environmental portraits with depth and atmosphere, as long as you manage edge distortion and keep the subject near the center of the frame.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Light You Have

Natural light portraiture is less about control and more about adaptation. It’s a dance with what’s available—a mix of observation, experimentation, and intuition. By learning how light behaves, adjusting your angle, and choosing the right lens for the story you want to tell, you’ll elevate your portraits from the ordinary to the unforgettable.

Image and video via Alan Schaller