North light: Why?

[jmoore01]

I discovered that a majority of the windows in my house are north-facing. As a photographer, I was immediately overjoyed: North light and all.

But why?

I've often heard of photographers even building their studios to make useof north light. Other photographers have seemingly salivated on message boards and blogs writing about this north light.

Is it a myth that north light is the best light. If it is truly better than say south light, why is that so?

[brad]

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is a better light because it is an indirect light... the entire north sky becomes a softbox for you.

[kenw]

expanding on Brad's answer:

light from a northern window is softer since the sun can never shine directly into the window (in the northern hemisphere).

It is the same reason that moss grows on the northern side of a tree, and why the north-facing-side of my house needs to be bleached once a year.....the sun never hits it directly.

[Bruce M. Morris]

Historically, Artists desired the soft indirect light of the North facing skylights for their paintings. Photographers, in their photos of people were trying to duplicate this same light that the painters had craved. Photographically, without direct sunlight in the image, there is less contrast to deal with and thus an easier image to capture on earlier film emulsions. Now, we have been taught for more than a century that it is strongly desirable. The fact that it can and does produce pleasing results with minimal effort has absolutely NOTHING to do with it...

[jmoore01]

Thank you all for you prompt, informative answers.

[brad]

North light .. windows and reflectors only..