Shooting in harsh midday sunlight can be challenging, but it’s a common scenario you might face. Properly managing this light can significantly improve your portraits.
Coming to you from Nathan Elson, this educational video tackles the issue of shooting in harsh, midday sunlight. Elson shares his experience and strategies for controlling natural light to create beautiful portraits. He begins by discussing a recent shoot in Alberta’s Badlands, where he dealt with the challenging combination of extreme heat and harsh sunlight. His practical approach, including using a simple scrim, shows how you can diffuse light effectively without needing extensive gear.
Elson’s advice on combining natural elements like greenery with desert backgrounds adds depth to your photos. He demonstrates the importance of using available light creatively, showing how a little bit of planning can result in striking images. By positioning his assistant with a scrim, Elson achieves a soft, diffused light that enhances his subject’s features and overall image quality. This technique is particularly useful if you want to avoid carrying heavy equipment but still want professional results.
For the second set of images, Elson switched up the wardrobe and location, using the natural shadows and highlights of the environment to create depth. He explains how exposing for the highlights and adjusting shadows in post-production can bring out details and enhance the overall look of the photo. This approach is practical and easy to implement, even if you are new to photography or looking to refine your skills.
The final setup involves backlighting the subject during the harshest part of the day. By using strategic posing and the scrim, Elson manages to soften the light and improve the overall composition. This technique proves that with a bit of creativity and the right tools, you can turn challenging lighting conditions into an advantage, resulting in polished and professional portraits. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Elson.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out “Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!”