Using natural daylight as a light source

Sunlight is an inexpensive source of light, but you have probably already discovered that unless it is foggy or hazy day, direct sunlight is normally too "harsh" to be useful for product lighting.  Direct sunlight (ie light without a diffuser like the sides of the EZcube) creates very sharp and often undesirable shadows. Direct sunlight can also cause glare from the subject. The EZcube softens and diffuses sunlight creating nice soft shadows while reducing or eliminating the glare.

When using sunlight as a light source it's best if possible, to take the cube outdoors. Orient the cube with the opening facing away from the sun.  (This is the opposite of normal outdoor photography in which you would typically try to keep the sun behind the camera and in front of the subject.
 

1. Position the EZcube with the sun directly behind it.
    
2. The opening of the EZcube is facing away from the sun.
    
3. The results are perfect, natural lighting with vibrant colors.

... face the EZcube away from the sun...

... perfect natural lighting.

Another consideration when using sunlight as a light source is to be aware of the fact that the color of sunlight will vary considerably depending on the time of day.  Early morning or late afternoon sunlight has a yellow or orange color cast compared to the midday sunlight.

1. The 20" EZcube shown left, worked very well for this 10" Tiki.
    

2. Center your product inside the EZcube.
    

3. Set the product far enough inside the tent so the front edge won't inhibit final image cropping.

Objective: Photograph flowers outside using natural sunlight
 

New feature allows you to place the EZcube over your flowers...

Natural sunlight can provide wonderful lighting. Just use a diffuser to soften the bright sunlight, and reduce harsh shadows.

1. In the first image the bright sunlight produces very harsh, unflattering shadows
    

2. The EZcubes additional zippered top opening, allows you to place the EZcube upside down flipped right over flowers. Then just shoot through the front opening.
    

3. The results are natural soft light with softer shadows.

... nice, soft diffused light.

One way to ensure you get the best exposure is to take at least three pictures. The first exposure using the default camera setting of (0). The second, exposure is increased by (+) to make the image lighter. For the third, exposure is decreased (-) to make.

1. With the EZcube placed facing away from the sun. Try a few different exposure settings to see what looks best.
    

2. With the exposure set to E.V. -1.0. , the image may appear too dark and underexposed.
    

3. If this is the case then raise up the exposure setting to E.V. 0.0 and then again to +1.0 for a lighter and brighter image and whiter background.

Using our largest 55" Mega EZcube outside made shooting our own products easy. This large size is too large for our own indoor studio, but worked great for us outside.  The sunlight provided wonderful, even lighting for our photo shoot.  What better way to photograph an EZcube, than to use a larger size EZcube to get the job done.

If you will be working indoors with sunlight as the light source, you should position the cube near a large unobstructed window. (Obstructions may create unwanted shadows).  Keep in mind that if the light from the window has been reflected off of nearby buildings, trees or other objects it will pick up the color of those buildings, trees or objects.  The same applies to sunlight which has reflected off of the walls or objects inside the room. (If the light striking the cube has picked up color, the white fabric of EZcube will not remove that color, it will transmit the color onto the subject unchanged.)