LESSON 5- Harnessing window light for still life photography

Photographing rare orchids indoors can be a challenging, especially when working with natural window light. For analogue photographers, the process offers the perfect opportunity to explore the interplay of light, texture, and film aesthetics. All the accompanying images for this piece were captured on a Mamiya C330F using Kodak Portra 160—a film stock celebrated for its subtle tonal range and ability to handle challenging light conditions. 

To elaborate on how I did this shoot , first I identifed a window that receives ample light. A south- or east-facing window typically works best and here it was easy facing. The key here isn’t just the orchids, but the shadows cast by the window’s frame. These shadows adds structure and depth to the composition.

If you’re looking for a bold, graphic aesthetic,which I did in one of the images, let the sunlight stream directly through the window, creating strong, well-defined patterns of light and shadow on the wall behind your subject. To soften this effect, and perhaps lend a more ethereal quality to the image, use a simple diffuser—like a cotton dhoti and a thermocol to reflect the light back to the subject . The light filtering through the fabric will soften the lines of the window shadows, creating a more muted, painterly backdrop. The reflected light will compensate the lighting in the front . 

Shooting on film, particularly with Portra 160, requires mindfulness. Take light readings carefully, and bracket your exposures if necessary to account for the subtle shifts in tones and depth. Let the shadows, the light, and your vision guide the frame— enjoy and share your experience of shooting using window light