Photographing people in direct sunlight may be difficult since it frequently produces harsh shadows and blown-out highlights. But, using the proper procedures, it is possible to take stunning photos in even the most direct sunshine. If you are starting with photography and you cannot handle the camera well in harsh sunlight to take good portraits, you will need some assistance.
In this article, I have shared my experience of shooting portraits in harsh sunlight. These tips will allow you to make the best out of portraits in any daylight conditions.
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Find Open Shade
When shooting in harsh sunlight, finding open shade can be your best friend. Open shade refers to areas that are shaded from direct sunlight but still receive plenty of reflected light. Look for areas such as the shadow side of buildings or trees or under a covered patio or awning. Position your subject in the open shade, and use a reflector or fill flash to bounce light onto their face and eliminate harsh shadows.
Use a Reflector
A reflector is a great tool to help bounce light onto your subject’s face and fill in shadows. Place your subject in the shade and position your reflector opposite the sunlight to bounce light onto their face. Silver or white reflectors work best in harsh sunlight, as they provide a bright and even fill light.
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
Adjust Your Exposure
It’s critical to adjust your exposure in direct sunshine to prevent blown-out highlights and shadows. Depending on the brightness of the sun, use the exposure compensation feature on your camera to reduce or increase the exposure by one or two stops. By doing this, you may balance the exposure and make sure that the face of your subject is adequately exposed.
Use a Polarizing Filter
In bright sunlight, a polarizing filter can assist decrease glare and reflections, enhancing the saturation and vibrancy of colors. This may be very useful when photographing people in natural settings like lakes or beaches.
Use Creative Composition
You may take stunning photographs in a bad light by using imaginative arrangements. Use the sunshine to cast eye-catching and dramatic shadows and reflections while experimenting with various angles and viewpoints. Make use of your surroundings and include things like trees, structures, or water in your composition.
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Quick Tips On How To Shoot Good Portraits In Harsh Sunlight
The following are supplementary advice for you:
- Keep in mind that intense sunlight might cast harsh shadows and blown-out highlights on your subject’s face while taking photographs. When the light is softest and most diffused, it is in the hour following sunrise and the hour before sunset, take pictures.
- Place your subject such that they are looking away from the sun and that the sun is behind them, shading their face.
- To make the light on your subject’s face more aesthetically pleasing and uniform, disperse the sunlight using a diffuser.
- Use a fast shutter speed to freeze any movement caused by the wind or your subject’s hair blowing in the wind.
- Consider shooting with a wide aperture to create a shallow depth of field and blur the background, which can help draw attention to your subject’s face.
- Avoid shooting portraits during midday, when the sun is at its highest and brightest. Instead, schedule your portrait sessions for early morning or late afternoon.
- Use a fill flash to add light to your subject’s face and balance the exposure between their face and the background.
And just like that, you have learned how to shoot good portraits in harsh sunlight. Finding open shade, utilizing a reflector, correcting your exposure, using a polarizing filter, and using creative arrangement are just a few of the methods and equipment needed to take effective pictures in direct sunshine. You may take stunning photographs in even the harshest light by experimenting with these approaches.
Always put your subject’s comfort and safety first, and be aware of how harsh sunlight may be on their skin and eyes.