Shooting with natural light means not having to carry flash equipment.
Lighting in a photograph can make or break what would have been a great picture. If a photographer were to use a flash, the picture may turn out differently from what the photographer originally saw when taking the picture. According to Virtual Photography Studio, using natural light helps photographers know exactly what their picture will look like, plus they don't have to carry around extra flash equipment.
Avoid Mid-Day Shooting
Avoid taking photographs at the height of the day when it is most sunny outside. Shooting at midday makes for heavy shadows and glare on your subject. The best time to shoot using natural light is at dawn or dusk, a time referred to as "sweet light." If you must shoot at midday, try to place subjects in the shade of trees or buildings to block glare if possible.
Work with the Weather
Even if it's not sunny, don't hesitate to still take pictures outside using natural light. If you are shooting portraits, an overcast day is actually beneficial because your subject will not be squinting into the sun, and there will not be harsh shadows. Use the weather to your advantage. A photo taken of a city street in soft, foggy light will have a completely different mood from one taken on a sunny day.
Use Reflectors
Using reflectors can help a photographer use natural light to their advantage. Reflectors are made from a wide range of materials and can include boards covered in a metallic coating or even a white poster board. Reflectors can help block the sun's rays or add a warm glow to a subject.
Position the Subject
If the sun is out, position the subject with the sun to their side, no matter what time of day. Photographing a subject with the sun behind them will make the subject look silhouetted with a bright background. If the subject is positioned with the sun in front of them, they will likely be forced to squint. According to Ritz Pix, positioning the subject with the sun to their side will create more even light and a better picture.
