 Esther Mishkowitz |
Day time photography Most of my free time is during the day and I would really like to go out there and shoot some scenics, etc. How can I go about dealing with the noon time sun? Filters, etc... thanks
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John A. Lind |
Noon time sun is generally considered one of the times to avoid outdoor photography. Filtering will not help the biggest problem with noon which is the sun directly overhead. The overhead lighting makes for long vertical shadows under eaves of buildings, letters on signs; any type of ledge or outcropping. Lighting at noon is simply harsh looking in the images. The best times are just before sunrise to mid-morning and mid-afternoon to dusk (just after sunset). These times give better side lighting and help give texture. Very early or very late will add a warmer feeling, too. No filtering can eliminate the problem of the overhead harshness and long vertical shadows at mid-day. That said, there are a few professional photographers that have made their fame exploiting the harsh lighting at noon and it is a trademark of their photographs.
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BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke  Contact Jim Miotke Jim Miotke's Gallery |
If you can only shoot mid-day, I would recommend setting up a home studio. You can use window or door light until you can afford your own studio lighting equipment. This will open up a world of creative possibilities. For scenics, I would have to agree with John - the morning and the evening are so much better that it is rarely worth your while to shoot mid-day.
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David E. Settle |
Another option is to shoot in open shade, such as under a tree, or a shade created by buildings or rocks. The open shade may produce a bluish tint so an 81A filter may help in keeping the tones correct. Also a reflector card can help in eliminating, or limiting, harsh side shadows. This reflector card can also be used in the open shade area to help in filling shadows.
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