Friday Photo Tip #11 Bright Sunshiny Day

It's a gorgeous day today in San Francisco... bright, sunny, warm... one of the reasons why I love living here so much! Today's tip will help you take better photos outside when it's sunny.

Gonna Be a Bright... Bright Sunshiny Day

When it's really sunny out there are a few instinctive things that most people do - a) turn around or to the side b) turn off the flash c) find shade d) put on a hat or hold an umbrella....  Well, today's tip is quite simple.

If you're taking a photo of a person outside in the sun, tell them to FACE IT.  FACE IT HEAD ON.  Yes, just like a deer in headlights...

They may squint, or blink or their eyes may water, but believe me it's worth it, and the picture will be amazing.  Think of it this way... The sun is like a huge outdoor flashlight. If you point it at someone at an angle, there will be a big shadow cast across their face.  If you point at them from behind, their face will be dark.  If you point it at them straight on - you will see their whole face, with very little shadows.  The whole point in facing the sun (if possible) is to eliminate shadows, because although you may not see shadows on a person's face with a naked eye, they're there, and your camera will capture every one of them. Here is an example of a shot I took with NO flash, just by positioning my subjects across from the sun.  Notice their shadows are behind them... they have a very natural radiant glow that is purely from the sunlight (taken around sunset time), it almost looks as if there were studio lights involved - but there weren't!