By Marta Mannuzza on | No Comments
Photography is an art form heavily dependent on light. We all prefer to shoot when the light is soft and diffused. Still, there are times when harsh light becomes inevitable, especially when shooting outdoors during midday—think weddings, elopements, or even portrait sessions.
So how do we create imagery that is still breathtaking despite the “difficult light"? Let’s take a look at what I have learned throughout my career. And this is the "desert edition," so there are no trees to hide behind!
When I'm talking about harsh light, I mean the type of light characterized by strong shadows and intense contrasts, leading to a loss of detail and potential portraits that are not flattering (skin tones that look off and unflattering shadows on faces). Depending on where you are, this type of light often occurs between 10 am and 4 pm.
With the proper techniques (and attitude), harsh light can also be used to create beautiful and unique images.
In this article, we'll explore how to shoot in harsh light in the desert, but I will also share a couple of tricks that will work when you have a few more trees or buildings around to use for a bit of shade.
Using the RAW format when photographing in harsh lighting conditions offers increased flexibility in post-processing. This is essential as it helps preserve maximum detail, allowing for the recovery of information in both highlights and shadows, and facilitates adjustments to white balance.
In harsh lighting, it's critical to adjust your camera settings to achieve proper exposure and prevent overexposure or underexposure. If a choice must be made, it’s better to expose for the highlights. Portraits with completely blown-out highlights are less appealing. It's generally acceptable to have some deep blacks in your images.
Keep your ISO as low as possible and use a fast shutter speed to minimize the amount of light entering your image. The aperture is the setting where you have the most room to experiment.
Keep in mind that the sun is directly overhead for only a brief period each day. During other times, position your camera at an angle to soften the impact of harsh light. This approach allows the light to fall more gently on your subject, softening shadows and enhancing the overall appeal.
I prefer to shoot with backlight during midday. Upon arriving at a session, I first identify an optimal lighting spot and have my subjects position themselves there.
During sunrise and sunset, feel free to experiment with various lighting angles—side, front, or backlight—all of which can produce stunning results. Ultimately, the choice of lighting angle should complement your personal shooting style.
Rather than attempting to eliminate shadows completely, consider embracing them as a compositional element. Shadows can introduce depth and visual intrigue to your photos, guiding the viewer's attention through the image.
Experiment with various angles and perspectives to discover how shadows can enhance the artistic and cinematic quality of your work. As you become more comfortable with this approach, you'll find it allows for greater creativity and artistry. Additionally, clients often value and appreciate the unique depth that well-utilized shadows bring to their images.
Backlighting happens when the main light source, such as the sun, is behind your subject. Correctly using this technique can produce stunning, ethereal visual effects, such as sun flares and rim lighting.
While there is no single best way to use backlighting, aiming for a "clean" look during midday sun has proven to be exceptionally effective for high-quality portraits. This method is among the best advice I have ever received, and I frequently apply this backlit technique in my photography.
Harsh lighting conditions are ideal for silhouette photography. Place your subject against a bright background like the sky or a well-lit wall, and adjust your exposure to emphasize the highlights. This will craft a distinct silhouette effect.
Experiment with various poses and framing to develop silhouettes that are not only visually compelling but also rich in mood and emotion.
If you're working with a landscape that offers more natural features, especially in challenging environments like the desert, here are some valuable tips to consider:
One effective way to mitigate harsh lighting is to find shaded spots for your photo subjects. Look for natural shelters like under trees or beside large rocks. These shaded areas help diffuse strong sunlight, creating a gentler and more appealing light on your subjects.
This softer lighting not only flatters the subject but also helps maintain clarity in both the highlights and shadows of your images, ensuring a well-balanced exposure.
Tall grass serves as an excellent natural diffuser, softening harsh sunlight and producing a more flattering light on your subjects. By placing your subjects amidst tall grass, you can reduce the intensity of the light, resulting in a gentler, more appealing glow that enhances the overall quality of your photos.
Achieving a well-dispersed light source involves positioning your subjects so that they are illuminated by indirect light. You can do this by shooting in partially shaded areas, like under trees, or using objects to scatter the light, creating a diffuse effect.
Employing dispersed backlighting creates a softer glow around your subject, reducing harsh contrasts and creating a more flattering look.
Additionally, it's important to incorporate a secondary light source from the front to balance the lighting. Aim to position your subject at the edge of a forest rather than deep within it, where direct light and the tree line meet. This strategy helps avoid unwanted color casts, such as green reflections from the foliage, on your subject’s face, ensuring more natural skin tones and even lighting.
Hotspots on Faces: Hotspots are areas of overexposed skin that can appear when direct sunlight hits the face. To prevent this, position your subjects in shaded areas or have them turn their backs or sides to the sun. Adjusting your shooting angle can also help reduce the intensity of sunlight on your subject’s face.
When photographing couples, I suggest they use each other to shield from direct sunlight. This not only helps manage light exposure but also adds an interactive element to the session, making it more engaging.
Note the hotspots in the image below
Dappled Light: Shooting through trees or other foliage often produces patchy light, with mixed highlights and shadows that can lead to uneven lighting and color casts in your photos. This type of lighting is generally unflattering and can detract from the quality of your images.
To avoid the complications of mixed light, position your subjects so that their backs are to the sun, or use the trees strategically to block certain portions of the light. While dappled light can be aesthetically pleasing, it requires careful and intentional use to ensure it enhances rather than detracts from your photos.
Lens Hood: A lens hood is invaluable for reducing stray light that might enter your lens, especially useful if you don't want your images to have sun flares. While I personally enjoy the aesthetic of sun flares in my photographs, using a lens hood is a personal choice and can be crucial for those seeking cleaner, flare-free shots.
Higher Quality Lenses: Upgrading from basic kit or starter lenses to higher-quality glass can significantly improve your photos' handling of harsh light. As you expand your lens collection, consider investing in superior lenses known for their performance in challenging lighting conditions.
For example, my favorite is the L series 50mm f/1.2, which excels in managing harsh light and producing stunning image quality.
Light Filling Tools: Although I prefer to travel light and typically don't use them, many photographers highly recommend using reflectors or fill lights to counteract harsh lighting conditions. These tools bounce light back onto your subject, helping to fill in shadows and achieve a more balanced exposure for a better-lit portrait.
Reflectors are available in various colors and materials, offering control over the quality and direction of the reflected light. They can be incredibly effective and fun to experiment with if you don't mind the extra gear.
Photographing in harsh light presents distinct challenges, yet it also offers the opportunity to capture exceptionally striking images. By mastering the manipulation of light and skillfully positioning your subjects, you can transcend these obstacles.
Embracing innovative techniques further enhances your ability to produce engaging photos that truly connect with your audience.
So, the next time you're faced with harsh lighting conditions, don't hesitate to embrace the challenge. Let your creativity flourish and transform tough scenarios into memorable photography moments!
Do you have any questions or comments about How to Take Photos in Harsh Desert Sunlight? Leave us a comment below - I would love to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
Marta is a photographer based in Moab, Utah who has been telling stories through images for over 5 years. She strives to capture connections - to each other and the world around us. She believes that wherever we're on our journey, it's worth remembering and preserving: whether it’s the quiet, the tiny, the big, or the messy. You can follow Marta on her website, Instagram, or Facebook page.
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