Lighting Techniques for Great Outdoor Photography

Great outdoor photography starts with understanding natural light and how to use it. When amateur photographers think of photography, they usually think sunlight. Yet, beginners rarely understand how and when to use sunlight, the differences between direct and indirect sunlight, and the advantages of taking pictures on foggy, cloudy, or rainy days.

The first thing to remember about outdoor photography is that most subjects do not photograph well at high noon on a sunny day. Why? The bright overhead light creates bright surfaces and hard shadows, resulting in too much contrast. This is especially problematic when photographing people - the sunlight creates dark shadows across their faces. If the sun is lower on the horizon, you have more options. Your subject can face the sunlight, but this may result in squinting. You can position your subject with the sun to her side, or to her back, which will create partial or full shadows. How can we soften the light and the shadows for more natural-looking outdoor shots?

Here are some tips for taking great outdoor photographs on a sunny day:

Use a fill-in flash

You can avoid dark facial shadows by using your 35mm camera's fill-in flash feature. (Many flash units also have this feature.) Just turn on the fill-in flash feature and your camera will automatically make the necessary adjustments. If you do not have the fill-in flash feature, try turning on the flash as though taking an indoor picture; you will likely get satisfactory results if you are not too close to your subject.

Use a reflective surface

This can be a professional collapsible white, silver, or gold reflector; or a large white poster board. Although not a practical solution for taking pictures of active children, this method works very well for still photography, such as photographing flowers on a bright sunny day. For outdoor portraits, the subject might be seated comfortably on a bench or a blanket on the ground. Then experiment by moving the reflective surface around her until her face is pleasantly illuminated, situating the reflective surface just outside of the frame of the picture. Be sure to take several shots for a good selection to choose from.

Move to a shadier spot

Whenever possible, try to take outdoor photos of people in the shade. Your camera will adjust accordingly in most cases. It is important for the camera to "read" shade, so your focal point (center of the frame) must point to the shady area, and not a bright sunny spot behind the more darkly lit subject (or your subject will appear as a silhouette). The shade will soften the light, eliminate dark shadows and harsh edges for more pleasing pictures.

This is not to say that direct sunlight cannot be used to take great pictures. Here are some ways to use sunlight for some interesting photographic effects:

• Use early morning sunlight for interesting colors and often a bluish light. Use for buildings, landscapes, and horizon scenes.
   
• Use evening sunlight for beautiful sunsets, sharp foreground silhouettes, emphasized textures, and a lovely golden or reddish glow.
   
• Use the late afternoon sun bathing interior areas with warm light, such as porches or indoor areas. No flash needed!
   
• Use backlighting to photograph things that are translucent, such as overhead autumn leaves or children playing in spraying water.

Remember that some of your best outdoor shots may well be taken in adverse weather conditions. Consider how dramatic cloud formations can add interest to an ordinary landscape; or how a morning mist can change the mood of a photograph at the seashore. Photograph puddle reflections of children in bright rainwear on a soggy day. Get out and take photographs of storm clouds and unusual weather. Capture the beauty of cold winter weather; snow and ice create wonderful picture-taking possibilities.

~Sandra Bynum

An avid photographer since childhood, Sandra Bynum set up her own darkroom at age 14. She earned her BA in Fine Arts, and continued to hone her photographic skills while homeschooling her children. Ms. Bynum is a freelance writer who recently opened a fine arts teaching center.