Master Natural Backlight to Improve your Portrait Photography

I hope you all enjoy today's video on an in depth explanation on how you can master my favourite natural lighting technique of backlight! Let me know if you want to see more of these "how to use natural light" videos in the comments :)

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FIND ME ON //

Dan @ I Make Films

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VLOG CAMERA SETUP //

Sony a7s mkii + Sigma 24mm f1.4

PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA SETUP //

Canon 5dmkiii
Sigma 24mm f1.4
Canon 35mm f1.4
Canon 50mm f1.2
Canon 85mm f1.2
Canon 135mm f2

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Thank you so much for watching! xx

[evren.chertseyEXP]

I love that she doesn't waste time with an intro, just gets straight into it

[christpherclumbus]

Hi Julia, I am a recent graphic design graduate and am helping my partner's sister build up her brand. She asked me for a photoshoot for her website, and I offered to help. I've got the most beautiful native australian park behind where I live, but I've never really done portrait shoots. With just 15 minutes before she arrived, I quickly looked up outshoot photography and landed on this video - such a lifesaver, and I feel that I have some absolutely gorgeous shots as a result of your tips. I have no idea that shooting into the light is the way to go, I would naturally have done the complete opposite! A big thank you - thought i'd just share my story with you, as I know I enjoy hearing it from my clients too :) Have a great day!

[GrayMartMedia]

I almost never comment on YouTube vids, but you deserve serious kudos for this tutorial. I’ve searched for awhile for tutorials on this subject and everyone always leaves it so many important details. Thank you for being thorough and going over how and where to meter on the subject and then the tip of under exposing and bringing it back in post.

[markharris]

The ability to use backlighting as well as you do is one of the things that makes you stand out from other photographers, the only person I think comes close is Irene Rudnyk. Done wrong it isn’t the best look which I have discovered when photographing wildlife from a hide (blind).

For landscapes we often shoot the light source itself with sunsets and sun stars. In those situations, when we want the foreground the be exposed correctly we bracket shots. With seascapes a reverse grad is the world’s greatest invention.

Another great video as always and Im really pleased you’ve got a sponsor now. For what I consider to be one of the best channels for understanding photography, talking sense and appreciating light you are massively undersubscribed.

[samchapman]

The more I do portrait photography the more I find myself using this backlit technique. Your photos always look so well lit, and I think I’m subconsciously just trying to emulate that lol. Thanks for all your tutorials and keep up the great work!

[cindymag]

You have no idea the happiness and how my day is made when I get a notification that you have uploaded a video! Saturday I spent my day watching every single one of your videos! I remember reading a comment from a year ago that said “how do you only have 2, 000 subscribers when you’re so great?” You’re just amazing Julia!

[renosvoyage]

You are definitely my favorite female photographer ! Your contents are always improving and you are such a huge inspiration to lots of amateur photographers out there :D

[tap]

Even though other photographers can also create beautiful natural back light images, but to teach it well, you are the one. Thanks for sharing Julia.

[effieskitsa]

I totally agree with you, Julia. I take pictures with backlight and I definitely underexpose at least one stop. Regarding the post-production, I totally agree with you. Thank you for sharing Julia! I am happy to see photographers who use the same technique as I do.

[breannamedek]

i LOVE that you put the iso shutter speed & aperture in every example !!

[caoileeleazar]

I am thankful to see your channel. I've been working as a portrait photographer for quite some time and your work makes me inspired to go out and shoot more projects. You are so generous to share your amazing talent thanks so much!

[thienluong]

reflection and opposite light is fantastic

[patrickyk]

You are the best photographer for natural light and backlight photos on YouTube. Keep it up.

[AbdullahArRafi]

Seems like one of the most advanced techniques of photography, yet you made it extremely easy to comprehend! This is one of the best videos about photography, EVER!

[rinehansen]

I just love your tutorials and how to the point they are. Love the before and after shots as well. You’re definitely my favorite photographer to watch & learn from on YouTube! Thank you for sharing!

[EARLJEFFRES]

I'm on the same page most of the time. I do shoot for B&W so there are times I need the harsh light to create the edginess in my images. That being said even then I do like to implore back lighting but with some type of reflector so I can get the look I am trying to achieve. AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR YOUR KEEN INSIGHTS! I love your work!

[Adventuresover]

Thank you for this video. I have always loved back lit photos but always felt I needed a fill flash or reflector which is tough since I am usually alone (no assistant). Great tips. I would definitely love to see more videos like this. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE how you include examples when explaining. ❤️👍🏼📷

[PhotosByPassy]

Thanks, I am going to have a go at backlight photography, and your videos are really well structured and give great information about what needs to be done. I love how you do not over complicate things, and have good simple steps people can try out.

[ajh]

You are a refreshing teacher of your craft. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in a way that is so easy to grasp. I look forward to taking what I have learned from you in this backlighting tutorial and practice, practice, practice!!!🌞

[erinreamey]

these past few days i have been watching your videos non stop and i have learned so many things from you. i have tried high frequency/low frequency editing in photoshop for the first ever tome and i have also learned how to focus quickly for moving subjects, and i have learned so much!