Working with Harsh Sunlight

Photographers have a tendency to hate shooting mid-day. Understandable. It’s horrible light. Harsh shadows, not very warm, obnoxious to work with. Yet sometime you have no choice. There are animals there, and you want to photograph them!

In the bright sunlight, the bird’s face is in shadow.

It seems intuitively obvious, and yet so many photographers miss this:

WATCH THE LIGHT!

Just because there are harsh shadows, doesn’t mean we need to stop shooting. Just a tiny change in movement can fix the problem.

Couple minutes later

Just waiting a short time - and the bird moves its head more into the light. You could have tried to lighten the face in photoshop, but it is much easier watching the light and waiting for the moment. And while there is more light, it’s still a bit shadowed.

Don’t bother taking the photo if the light isn’t right. Unless you just are trying to document a moment.

Wait for the moment where the light is right — just a couple minutes later.

Better positioning with regards to the sun

But remember — if you have to shoot in harsh sun, your best best is finding open shade.

Tufted Titmouse in the open shade

So be brave! Go out and shoot in the sunlight, and watch your light. Experiment with it now, so that when you must shoot in harsh lighting situations, you know how to handle it.