It always seems to me like we have turned a corner when the clocks change to move forward an hour, like what happened recently on the 29th of March, and a good corner as well. The winter weather is now well and truly behind us, with the expectation of much nicer climates to come with the start of spring now with us and with the summer to look forward to. On very sunny days, it can lead the avid photographer to think about and implement techniques to help them continue to take those all-important, impressive shots. There will be many people out there who will be fully experienced and knowledgeable about how to do just this, but for everyone else, the following tips may well prove to be beneficial.
The best way to take photographs on a sunny day
You would have thought that a bright sunny day would just about be the ideal conditions for taking photos. There is the strong light, the beautiful blue skies, and the likelihood of very little to no wind. The reality, however, can at times be somewhat different. Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights and squinting subjects can all turn what should be a great shot into something that looks a little… well… wrong.
Now for the good news: with a small number of simple tricks, you can still take excellent photographs even when the sun is blazing.
To start with, it is a good idea to avoid taking the photographs during the middle of the day. And this is arguably the most important tip. When the sun is directly overhead (usually between about 11am and 3pm in the summer), the light is extremely harsh. Shadows fall straight down, people get dark eye sockets, and bright areas often lose detail completely.
It is much better to shoot your photos earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Photographers often call this the “golden hour” — that lovely time when the sun is lower in the sky and the light becomes softer and warmer.
It’s way more flattering and makes it all the simpler to work with.
The next trip is fully making use of whatever shade is available and therefore use it to your advantage.
At times when you think that the light is too strong, it’s then a simple case of moving the subject of your photo into open shade. This could, for example, be the shade of a building, a large tree, or even the shadow side of a wall can soften the light dramatically.
The main aim and thing that we need to remember is to keep your subject fully inside the shade while the background is still nicely lit. By doing so, it can help you avoid those patchy, half-bright, half-dark faces that never quite look right in photographs.
The next tip is to watch out for blown highlights. Bright sunlight can easily wash out parts of your image, especially things like white clothing, clouds, or pale buildings. If you notice this happening, slightly reduce the exposure on your camera or phone.
Most smartphones allow you to tap the screen and drag the exposure slider down a little. Just a small adjustment can bring detail back into those bright areas.
The next thing to pay attention to is the direction of the light. Another common mistake is photographing people with the sun directly behind you. That might sound logical, but it can often make your subject squint and create very strong shadows.
Try placing the sun slightly behind your subject instead. This creates a soft rim of light around them and avoids the squinting problem. You may need to tap your screen to focus and adjust exposure, but the results often look far more natural.
And of course, after you have taken several photographs that you are happy with, bringing them into The Picture Gallery to have them professionally framed is a great way to ensure that the photos and memories will last for many years to come.