photography with natural light

The One Rule I Always Break in Wildlife Photography

Brown pelicans off Magdalena Bay, MX.

Every photographer has a list of rules they were taught to follow… the golden ratios, the perfect exposures, the “never shoot into the light” kind of advice.

But here’s the thing…

I break that last one all the time.

Some of my favorite wildlife photos were taken against the light, silhouettes of bears in the sunset, bobcats glowing in golden dust, orca breaking the surface as the last of Norway’s light descends behind the mountains. 

Orcas off Norway. 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 800

Shooting into the light isn’t easy. 

It’s messy. It blows out highlights, hides details, and breaks every clean rule of composition. 

But it also makes the wild feel alive.

And honestly, I struggle most of the time to get it right. 

When you’re shooting backlit subjects, figuring out the best ISO and shutter speed is always a challenge. 

You rarely have much time to adjust. 

Maned Wolf off the Northern Pantanal. 1/640, f14, ISO 800

With wildlife, you don’t plan for backlit images, you get lucky with them.

Maybe you’re sitting in an area where you know elephants will be passing along a well-worn trail, and you get that perfect chance to prepare. 

But most of the time, you don’t get that choice. 

You’re gifted the moment when the animal suddenly turns left instead of right, or when the whale passes on the “wrong” side, and suddenly, the sun is behind them.

That’s when it happens.

Bobcat off Florida. 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 400

The light burns through the edges of their body, wrapping them in fire, color, and shadow. 

It’s beautiful chaos, the kind that tests your instincts and rewards your patience.

Most animals prefer to keep the sun behind them as they move past people, it helps them see us better. 

And when they can see us better, they relax. 

That small bit of awareness gives us something real: a moment of trust, framed in gold.

Polar Bear off Churchill. 1/1000, f5.6 ISO 640

Photography is supposed to make you feel something, and light, real light, isn’t always neat and controlled. 

Sometimes it’s harsh, unpredictable, wild… like the animals themselves.

If you only ever follow the rules, you’ll get good photos, sharp, balanced, technically correct.

But if you’re willing to bend them, that’s where the magic starts. 

Brown Bear family off Katmai, Alaska. 1/1250 f32, ISO 1250

The image might not be perfect, but it will have a heartbeat.

Every time I press the shutter into the light, I’m reminded that photography isn’t about perfection. 

It’s about emotion, the quiet honesty of what it felt like to be there.

So yes, I shoot into the light. I chase it, even. 

Because the wild isn’t meant to be tamed… and neither is the way we capture it.


A Few Tips for Shooting Into the Light

Shooting backlit wildlife is one of the hardest things to get right, but when it works, it’s magic. 

Here are a few tricks I’ve learned (mostly the hard way):

  • Watch your exposure, not your instincts.
    Backlight fools your camera’s meter into underexposing. Don’t trust the screen, watch your histogram and move it slightly to the right to preserve shadow detail.

  • Use spot metering when you can.
    Expose for the light on the animal’s face or body, not the sky. That’s where the story is.

  • Embrace imperfection.
    Backlit shots rarely look clean, and that’s the point. Let the light spill, let the edges glow, let the wild be wild.

Why Choose Natural Light for Underwater Photography?

Wildlife photographer Jean Dubois, shooting using natural light… Crocodile Diving off Banco Chinchorro, MX. 1/320, f8, ISO 500

When it comes to underwater photography, strobes are often the go-to choice for professionals. They bring out vibrant colors and allow for incredible detail in any lighting condition. However, there’s another side to underwater photography that’s often overlooked but equally exciting… Natural Light Photography.

This approach leverages ambient light from the sun to create images with a more organic and authentic feel. It’s less intrusive to wildlife, offers greater freedom of movement, and provides a unique challenge that pushes your skills as a photographer.

Black Manta Ray off Socorro Island, Mexico. 1/320, f8, ISO 1000

Let’s dive into why natural light photography is worth exploring.

One of the biggest advantages of natural light photography is the freedom it gives you underwater. Without strobes and bulky strobe arms attached to your camera rig, you’re far more streamlined. This makes swimming easier, especially when free diving or dealing with strong currents.

Great Hammerheads off Bimini Bahamas. 1/320, f8, ISO 320

More importantly, it allows you to move fluidly and follow wildlife with minimal disruption.

Animals are often spooked by flashing lights, but with natural light, you can get closer and stay longer, building trust and capturing more intimate moments.

Natural light photography is less intrusive, which can be a game-changer when photographing sensitive marine animals like sharks, whales, and dolphins. Without the startling pop of a strobe, they are more likely to stay calm and tolerate your presence.

Some of my favorite moments underwater have been with animals mere inches from my dome port, calmly going about their lives. It’s these moments that make natural light photography so rewarding—it’s not just about capturing a shot but trying to experience a genuine connection with the wildlife.

Right Whale off Patagonia, photographed under permit. 1/320, f9, ISO 800

Of course, natural light photography comes with its challenges. The underwater environment absorbs light and color at different depths:

  • Red disappears around 15 feet.

  • Orange fades by 30 feet.

  • Yellow is gone by 60 feet.

  • Greens fade by 100 feet, leaving mostly blues.

This means your ability to capture vibrant images depends heavily on factors like depth, water clarity, and time of day. Cloudy skies or low light conditions can make it even more difficult, requiring careful adjustments to your camera settings.

Great White Shark off Guadalupe Island, MX. 1/320, f8, ISO 400.

Despite the challenges, natural light photography is incredibly rewarding.

It forces you to think creatively, adapt to your environment, and work within the constraints of the available light. But, when you nail the exposure, composition, and timing, the results are nothing short of magical.

To me, natural light images have a raw, authentic feel that strobes can’t replicate. They reflect the beauty of the underwater world as it truly is—dynamic, ever-changing, and awe-inspiring.

Sailfish off Magdalena Island, MX. 1/640, f8, ISO 1600

Is Natural Light Photography for You?

Shooting with natural light allows you the opportunity to connect with wildlife on a deeper level. It’s not just a technique; it’s an experience that pushes you to grow as a photographer and a storyteller.

Stay tuned for the next blog in this series, where I’ll dive into the euphotic zone… the key to understanding how sunlight interacts with the underwater world and how to use it to your advantage.

THIS IS PART 1 OF A 10 PART SERIES.

PART ONE - Is Natural Light Photography Photography For You?
PART TWO - The Euphotic Zone! Your best friend.
PART THREE - Custom White Balance, Natural Lights Secret Weapon.
PART FOUR - Shutter Speed: Freezing Moments Underwater.
PART FIVE - Aperture: Achieving Sharpness and Depth Underwater
PART SIX - ISO: Balancing Light Sensitivity Underwater
PART SEVEN - Focus Points: Keeping Your Subject Sharp Underwater
PART EIGHT - The Histogram: Your Underwater Photography Lifeline
PART NINE - Post-Processing: Bringing Your Underwater Images to Life.
PART TEN - The Freedom of Natural Light Photography: A Connection to the Wild