Sure, but what if it is cloudy?
Of course sunlight comes through the windows and can increase the contrast, but that does not always happen. More often then not, the weather just does not cooperate, or the windows face north. Instead of direct sunlight, you get indirect, which is just as flat and shadowless as ambient interior light. Or, lets not forget, that direct sunlight is usually so strong it drowns out all the nuance of the interior ambient light, which produces almost just as flat an image as without it.
So should someone hope to be lucky and relish when he/she is, but accept that more often then not he/she won't be? That does not sound very proactive to me, nor something to build a reputation on.
I look at so many interior images nowadays, that rely solely on ambient light, and they are simply flat and dead. Yes, they are exposed well with nothing over or under, but that does not make a great image. Light and shadow and contrast does, and if your light is flat there ain't nothing you can do to fix it.
Although it may be part of the style of some photographers, I admittedly disagree and oppose telling those whom are just starting out to rely on it and use it as a substitution for lighting.
Really, it is beyond my comprehension. No serious (table top) still life photographer would ever agree that one could survive on ambient light alone. However, many (large scale) still life photographers, aka interior photographers, somehow think you can get away with only using ambient light.
Hi Joe,
I don't totally agree with you on this.
We make decisions on whether to use additional lighting or not quite often dependant on the space and or the client.
When I work in Australia (where I'm originally from) I find myself using much less lighting as the Architecture has been designed around 'controlling' natural light, heat gain etc etc. (as opposed to BC, where it's about controlling rain...)
The natural light in Australia, most definitely doesn't make for a flat image.
I'd imagine if I was working in California, it would be much the same.
I also find that the lighting kits come out less often with an Architect and more often when I'm working with an interior design firm.
I think it's partly due to the subject matter - are we interested in the atmosphere or experience of the space (as it's been designed) or are we interested in the stuff within it.
I think we should all be capable of working with and without - after all, we're representing someone elses work in our imagery.
Just my two bob.
Andrew