When taking photos, lighting can either be your best friend or worst enemy. It allows for neat shadows as well as glowy, gorgeous complexions. However, little lighting can create dark and somewhat grainy photos. Let’s focus on where to retrieve the best lighting and the times that permit the best pictures.
I believe that natural light is the best source when it comes to taking portraits. Pose your subject near a window or, even better, take them to a neat location outdoors. Depending on the weather, sunlight usually never fails. A rule of thumb for harsh sunlight is to angle your subject at 45 degrees to avoid weird shadows; half the face should be lit with a touch of light on the opposite cheek.
The best time to take pictures is known as “golden hour” (right after sunrise or right before sunset). At these times the sun is very soft and the sky is filled with beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and/or purple. Another great time to shoot is on a cloudy day when the sky is very white, which makes the subject appear very clear and the colors crisp and vibrant.