Casual Photo Shoot For A Friend

[Snap]

Hi everyone,

A friend asked me to take some photos of her on the beach for her mum's birthday present. I don't have any lighting setup so I'll be using natural light. She's scheduled the 'photo shoot' for about 6:45pm but I'm thinking it might be a better option to start a bit earlier.

Any advice will suffice, I've been looking at flickr groups for ideas on poses, composition, styling etc.

I'd love to hear any suggestions for DIY reflectors or likewise, if people think it's necessary?

TIA!

[Ashanali]

6.45 is perfect. Your sunset isn't until about 8pm anyway. You will have great light tones at this time of day.

I rarely use reflectors but you can include them if you want to. Also check out one of my favourite flickr groups for some backlighting inspiration (late afternoon is perfect for backlighting)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1144501@N20/

[Snap]

Thanks so much for the reply Ashanali! Having a look at that group now and getting lots of inspiration!

[rubiton]

If you are at the beach you are standing on one massive reflector - the sand. You have natural light then you have the reflected light from the sand and if near the water more reflected light from there.

The image below - the horses chest and neck is actually being 'lit up' by the reflection from some sand over a crossing on the ground - this image was not processed beyond cropping. That was only a little bit a few metres wide so image what a whole beach of it does.