A flash is not necessary for good portrait photography. Window light, open shade and a few simple tools can produce soft, flattering results, and many photographers prefer working this way. The main skill is learning to see and position the light that is already there.
For an overview of the principles involved, read our portrait lighting guide.
Is flash necessary for portraits?
No. Flash gives you control when the available light is weak or poorly placed, but it is a tool, not a requirement. Available light is often easier to work with for beginners because what you see is what you get, and it can look natural. The trade-off is that you depend on the conditions: time of day, weather and the room.
Finding good available light
Window light indoors
A large window is a soft, directional source. A few guidelines:
- Turn off the room lights if they are a different color from the daylight, since mixed colors can be hard to correct.
- Position the subject close to the window, with the light falling across the face from the side or at about 45 degrees.
- Place the camera so the subject’s face is turned toward the light enough to show a catchlight.
- Soft light from a north-facing window (in the northern hemisphere) is often steady, though any window that is not in direct sun works well.
Direct sun through the window is harsh. If that is all you have, hang a sheer curtain or a thin white fabric over the glass to diffuse it.
Open shade outdoors
Standing the subject in the shade, such as at the edge of a porch or a building, avoids hard shadows and squinting. Make sure the light reaches the face from the open sky side, not from above through leaves. Dappled light from leaves is uneven and tends to look messy on faces.
Overcast days
A cloudy sky works like a giant softbox. The light is even and the shadows are gentle. The downside can be dull contrast and a bright sky, so keep the sky out of the frame or add some contrast in editing.
Golden hour
The hour after sunrise and before sunset gives low, warm light (see golden hour portraits). You can place the sun to the side of the subject for directional light, or behind them for glow. See backlit portrait photography for the latter.
Using a reflector instead of a fill flash
A reflector bounces existing light back into the shadows. White is gentle, silver is brighter and gold adds warmth, though gold can look strong on skin. A simple alternative is a sheet of white foam board or a white bedsheet. Place it on the side of the face opposite the light source, a little below the chin, and adjust the distance.
See how to eliminate shadows in portrait photography for more on filling and softening.
Camera settings for no-flash portraits
Aperture
A wide aperture, such as f/1.8 to f/2.8, lets in more light and gives a blurred background, but depth of field becomes thin, so focus carefully on the eyes. If you need more of the face in focus, stop down a little.
Shutter speed
Keep the shutter speed fast enough to avoid camera shake and subject movement. A common rule of thumb is a speed at least equal to one over the focal length, and faster for moving subjects. Image stabilization can help with shake but not with a moving subject.
ISO
Raise ISO as needed to reach a workable shutter speed. Modern cameras handle moderate ISO well, and a slightly noisy sharp image is usually better than a clean blurry one.
White balance
Mixed light can shift skin tones. Shoot raw if you can, so you can adjust white balance later, or set a custom white balance for the scene.
Taking indoor portraits in dim rooms
For more room-by-room advice, see indoor lighting for photography.
- Move closer to the brightest window rather than trying to light the whole room.
- Use a fast lens, if you have one. A 50mm f/1.8 is a common affordable choice.
- Raise the ISO before you slow the shutter too much.
- Use a continuous LED light if you need extra light without flash. Soften it with a diffuser or by bouncing it off a wall or ceiling.
- Avoid pointing a lamp straight at the face from the camera position, which flattens features.
Dealing with common problems
- Face too dark against a bright window: expose for the face, not the window, and use a reflector.
- Colors look yellow or green: switch off artificial lights, or fix white balance in editing.
- Flat, shadowless look: turn the subject slightly toward the window or move them to the side of the light.
- Blurry images: raise ISO, open the aperture or ask the subject to hold still.
Soft, flattering results
Because the light you find is often large and diffuse, it tends to suit skin well. For tips on getting the best skin tones from soft light, read about soft light portrait photography. If you later decide to add a flash, a simple starting point is covered in portrait photography with one light.