So, you’ve been hanging out in the shade for awhile now, but starting to feel like maybe there’s a whole lot of life happening outside of golden hour and the shade of a tree?
You’re right. Welcome to midday full sun!
Welcome to a whole new world of possibilities and creative challenges! Amazing things are happening at all hours of the day and you deserve to have them recorded and preserved as beautifully as the overcast and shady areas (that just makes sense, right?)!
See the Beauty
Morning light pouring through the windows of a still dark house. You literally cannot beat the beauty in this scenario. It so beautifully captures the innocence of childhood, the stillness of the morning, and the promise of a new day. Sometimes I just watch to find what interesting shapes might cross its path. Other times I just happen to discover something sprawled out appreciating it’s warmth. It happens every day and you are a fortunate person to have spent any amount of time appreciating all of the loveliness spilling into your house.
My rules for midday:
1. I love shooting wide open and the intimate, isolated feel it brings to an image. And that’s the only decision I need to make. I’m focused only on exposing for the highlights to bring a dramatic, contrasty feel to my images. And so I chase. I chase them through the water, the fields, and the sand. I’m watching for every beautiful moment that wraps up a childhood. A hand outstretched to tag his brother, extraordinary finds from the oceans blue, colorful sodas to celebrate a day at the beach. You will be absolutely amazed at all the beauty to be found in some 2 pm sunshine.
2. My other favorite type of harsh light comes filtered through the forest in strong beams. Upon entering, you’ll find it dappled over every tree and bush… don’t turn away. Ask your subject to turn into and bask in its gorgeous stream. Highlight your favorite parts of their face and body while letting everything else fall into darkness. Use flowers and leaves to interrupt its flow and tattoo their natural beauty onto the body of your subject. It’s a natural spotlight that can elevate the beauty and intimacy of the woods.
3. Sunshine isn’t scary! Harsh light is an essential tool to be mastered and appreciated just like back button focusing (you’re doing that, right?). Pay special attention to the lines and shadows it creates as the things you love the most eclipse its path. What was your favorite part? What about that moment really spoke to you and told YOU a story you just want to hold onto a little longer. There’s nothing to be afraid of, you just have to change your perspective and look for the beauty in all the ordinary things happening around you everyday that are telling your story whether you are watching or not.
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