Nothing beats natural light. It’s versatile, always changing like a facet, thus always surprising and so beautiful. Even in places, you recon you would need to use artificial light; you may take advantage of natural light. Think indoor. Your first thought may be to turn on the flash, but instead of its harsh and contrasting result, here is a different approach.
If you are interested in this practical tip, you will find more about it on Blue Hour Photo Workshop’s blog.
In Flow with Otto 
I love this slice-of-life and how I drawn into the man’s world, through his closed eyes.
I am glad to hear so. Thank you.
Beautiful photograph Otto, light and shadow, perfect. I visited Blue Hour, a lovely blog, I will return there.
Thank you, Holly, for the feedback and for visiting Blue Hour. 🙂
It was a pleasure! 😊
This is a beautiful photograph, Otto.
Off to visit Blue Hour Photo.
I am glad you like it. Thank you, Lisa.
Naturligt ljus, javisst, för mig det enda tänkbara:) Har inte använt mig av blixt på…ja, jag vet inte…men, det måste vara minst 30 år sedan.
Många säger säkert att nu behövs det inte, inte med den digitala tekniken?…
Men som sagt, alla blir saliga på sitt eget sätt…och visst, det är väl ok? Hoppas att du lyckas förmedla dina tankar och din erfarenhet under dina kurser/workshop och att du även får ut något av det själv.
På väg norrut från ytlighetens och mammons Miami, mot New Orleans och sen highlighten…”Ditt Kuba”.
Jeg var selv veldig dyktig på blitzlys for 20 år siden eller så. Men i dag bruker jeg det sjelden, nettopp fordi den digitale teknikken har gjort det mulig å fotografere uten blitz under selv vanskelige forhold. Jag for lykkeønskningene, Gertie. Høres ut som om du har hatt en spennende tur så langt. Ha en fortsatt god reise med masse av interessante bilder!
I think so too that nothing beat natural light. I believe one of the well known wedding photographer that I know of does not use flash for his works.
By the way, that is a great capture!
Thank you.
Sometimes a flash is necessary, but I really tried to avoid it as much as possible. 🙂
that’s a beeeeautiful picture, Otto!! I used to have a Nikon D70, that camera drove me crazy with no focusing in low light, but man oh man did it take beautiful pictures in natural light, no need for processing even 🙂
Yes, even today low light situations can make the focusing a challenge. Thank you for the feedback, Elaine.
yes, i know that THAT CAMERA was the worst, i would be hunched over a tripod for 20 minutes at a time, just trying to get it to focus!! ow, my back!! lol
Beautiful work, Otto.
Thank you, my friend. Good to have you back visiting my blog. I will return the call. 🙂
Otto, really like the color palette and character study with the natural light in this image.
Thank you for the feedback, Sally. Much appreciated.
Beautiful, Otto, and what a perfect advertisement for natural light.
I am glad you think so. Thank you.
I completely agree with you about natural light. I so seldom use my flash that the camera might as well not have one. Thanks for the tips at Blue Hour! This photo makes your point beautifully.
I am glad you like. Thank you for the feedback, León.
Great post, Otto! So much wisdom…and I agree that natural light streaming from the side will bring out the character in the subjects so much better. Something I have not yet really tried.
So maybe time to give it a try?… Thanks for nice words, Tiny.
Yes, I will give it a try!
I like the idea of ‘quiet’ light. I’ve used it a couple times when I was secretly photographing husband’s 100 year old Aunt. She wouldn’t like that it brought out the ‘character’ in her face…but I thought it was a great shot. I need to organize my archives better, because when I went to use it for something I couldn’t find it. But I know it’s there somewhere.
I’ve also used it on occasion with the dog as she slept or sat in a puddle of light. It makes her colors more striking, and the image more interesting than just a plain head shot.
Excellent advice!
Organizing one’s photo archive is hard work, but makes it worthwhile when you need to find some photos. 🙂 I hope you find the photos of your husband’s aunt.
Your image reminds me of Vermeer’s work, Otto — not only for the beautiful quality of the light you’ve captured, but also for the simplicity of your framing and the stillness of the moment. Breathtakingly gorgeous.
Thank is quite someone to be compared to. 🙂 Thank you so much.
Natural light should always be the first choice, if possible, in my humble opinion. Look at that image! It makes you feel something that a flash never could.
Surely natural light is my first choice these days. But sometimes you can create quite something different with flash light, more bold and more vivid.
Natural light is the best light for photographs
I do generally prefer natural light, too.