Photo Basics -- Week 4 Assignment -- Using Natural Light

So, this week we learned about natural lighting, and I still have a LOT to learn.  I'm somewhat frustrated because I didn't have as much time to work on my homework as I would have liked, and because I had day surgery on Friday, I didn't have time to redo some of the shots.  So, they are what they are, I guess.  I can totally see why you don't like to shoot during the middle of the day, Brooke!!  You'd think that would be an easy time to capture the light, but I would position my subject in what I thought was front light, or back light, didn't look that way once I took the picture.  So, they are what they are, I guess!  Will definitely need to work more on this concept.  (I tried to do my photo outside this week, as week 5 is natural lighting indoors.)

Here are my submissions for this week:

-Post one image that is side lit (windows are great resources, or any outside environment that your main source of light is coming from the side.)

 ISO-250

1/50

f/16

This is the stack out at the smelter at Kennecott, by the Great Salt Lake, just before sunset.  

-Post one image that is back lit (place the sun or light source behind your subject.  Make sure you expose for them, not the background light!

 ISO-400

1/15

f/18

I'm not sure if this qualifies as back lit or not.  I mean, if you look at the shadow of the tree outside, you can tell the lights coming from behind, her, but, the way I have her standing in the doorway, with the hat, almost makes it look side lit.  Opinions, Brooke?  I love the picture, but was there anything I could have done to make it better?

This next one is definitely backlit:

ISO-250

1/400

f/5.6

This is my little cherry tree out back, just about the time you said you love to shoot!  A couple of hours before sunset.  

-Post one image that is front lit (the majority of light is coming towards the front of the subject.  Can you do it so that it is flattering, avoids dapples, harsh shadows or racoon eyes ?  Try your best!)

 ISO-400

1/125

f/11

Again, my friend's sweet daughter, Kelsey.  Such a pretty little thing!  She's way into the cowboy life, so we met at Wheeler Farm in SLC for these photos.  

-Post one image that utilizes the help of a natural reflector in your environment (white walls, concrete, light colored materials that help to reflect light onto your subject.)

 ISO-400

1/640

f/11

This I struggled with.  Again, was about 2pm, so the light was mostly overhead, although it looked like it was front lit on this building.  Is there a trick to getting rid of the shadows on her face?  The ones where she was looking forward didn't look like they reflected at all, so I had her look up and to the side, to try to get her face closer to the wall, as well as get rid of some of the shadows.  Don't think it turned out very well.  Suggestions, Brooke?

-Post one image that is a back lit silhouette

 ISO-250

1/20

f/36

 At the base of the Wasatch Mountains, looking west, MillCreek Canyon, at sunset.

Thanks, everyone, for looking!