Are you looking to capture ethereal and dreamy photos for your fashion photography portfolio? Here are some tips to help you achieve that beautiful, otherworldly look in your photos using natural light.
Shoot during golden hour, or on an overcast day: To achieve a soft, dreamy effect, it's important to shoot during the "golden hours" of sunrise and sunset, when the light is warm and diffused. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, which can create unflattering shadows. If you live in a place with fog or overcast weather this can also create that diffused natural light we are looking for. If you can’t shoot when the sun is low, backlighting your subject will also help give that dreamy glow.
Experiment with aperture: Use a wide aperture (a low f-number, 1.4, 1.8, 2.8) to create a shallow depth of field, which will blur the background and make your subject pop. This will help add to the dreamy feel of your photos.
Choose soft and light colors: Choose light and soft color schemes for your clothing and props. Think pastels, white, cream. These colors will add to the ethereal feel of your photos.
Incorporate movement: Movement in your photos can add to the dreamy effect you're going for. Have your subject twirl, dance, or walk to create a sense of movement in your photos.
Experiment with shutter drag. Keeping the shutter open for longer than you ordinarily would can create a lovely ethereal blur.
Experiment with placing translucent items in front of the camera lens. These can create dreamy effects that can also help soften the edges of the image.
Post-processing: After you've captured your photos, play around with post-processing to create a dreamy effect. You can adjust the contrast, clarity, saturation, and temperature of your photos to create the perfect ethereal look.
Happy shooting!
