In tip #10, I explained why you want to avoid taking photos with the sun high above your friend. So where should it go then? There’re several locations where the main light (sunlight) can be placed in relation to your friend. Each location will give you a different effect.
Directional lightening refers to light that hits your subject from one direction. Simple enough. If you place the single light source directly to one side, the opposite side will fall into shadow. As you move the light source toward the front of your friend—but still to one side—more of the her face will be lit, and the shadows will create contours on the opposite side to the light. If the light source hits your friend face on—in other words, the flash—then the light will flatten out her face since no contouring shadows will be formed. Experiment. Experiment. Experiment. And see for yourself just how the location of the main light can affect the mood and outcome of your picture.
To make your light source directional, position your friend so that there is something that limits or blocks the sunlight from above. This can be as simple as a tree, a porch, or a window. Experiment with your exposure. You can meter the whole picture so that there isn’t a stark contrast between the highlights and shadows. Or you can adjust your exposure based on the highlights, which will cause the shadows to deepen.
In the above photo, I metered the girl’s face where the sunlight touched her cheek. I then recomposed the photo to include the side that would be thrown into shadow. According to my camera, this picture was underexposed, but it gave me the effect I was looking for. I also used a bay window for this photo, which increased the amount of light that touched her face. The photo in tip #3 was done the same way, but I used a narrow window so the outcome was slightly different.
When taking pictures near a window, try to use light that enters the window from the north if you live in the northern hemisphere. If you live in the southern hemisphere, then use a southerly window. This light source will be softer and more flattering. If you don’t have a choice, and the sun is glaring through the window, you can soften it by diffusing it with a gauzy fabric, like a window sheer.
Have fun experimenting!