How Real Pros Shoot in Harsh Light

It has always bugged the hell out of me that every video talking about harsh daylight always just resorts to finding shade... If you're trying to be an editorial/fashion photographer, this is the trick to getting those high end looking shots in natural light.

And obviously hard light isn’t meant for every fashion situation. My statements earlier in the video come off a little too matter of fact 😂 but I was just focusing on the hard light technique. You have to chose the light that works best for your story and subject. And sometimes you just get stuck in shitty light that you have to work in.

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[hannahmillington]

Photography is painting with light. You can't complain as an artist if you have too much paint :)

[HonJazzz]

Thanks for bringing up some real examples from masterful photographers. I agree that photography shouldn’t be about following a trend, It’s timeless.

[RockyColaFizz]

I appreciate how you simply keep things real. It’s refreshing.

[bensoumokil]

What I’ve learned over the 7 years of shooting is that there is no rules. Of course when you’re starting out it’s good too know the basics but once you understand your camera and everything else you can decide what your photos look like.

[bohemia]

What a great tutorial! This five minutes were so well spent for me. THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge.

[thphoto]

Cam, please do more of these. I know you’re right into the film making, but the people love your fashion/beauty photography as well! Please don’t forget us :))))

[user]

First photographer/cinematographer I’ve seen to show this. Thank you

[Lifeonbooks]

Love it. I always thought it was lame that many people will only shoot at golden hour. I never say no to a shoot regardless of where/when. You have to be able to make it work regardless of the conditions. Otherwise you're not really an artist, you're just a person who knows how to follow a formula.

[kencox]

Awesome when I did my degree in fashion / editorial photography my head tutor was a real pain used to complain about harsh shadows like this it got so bad that he would mark your work down if you tried to submit it. Really refreshing to hear someone who knows what they are talking about instead of the fool who taught us all wrong :)

[alex.mathioudakis]

Solid advice as usual. Also, one of the things that you constantly teach (maybe even without knowing that you’re doing it) is how to communicate and direct your model. In awe of your work man, great stuff

[biffyeager]

This is the first time I have seen your photography. You hit a Grand Slam! Out of the Park! I have been shooting in the shadow forever, and in five minutes of your tutorial has me convinced to shoot in the open light! Great advice!

[TheOriginalGregToo]

Dude your content is wildly underrated. I appreciate how accessible you make everything. Appreciate you. Keep on keeping on.

[MakeSomething]

That was great! I love all the examples used to drive home the point.

[Akagami]

This has to be the best video on how to compose better in sunlight. Thank You So much, i'm just a beginner but i have watched countless videos related to this.

[jz_glass]

Great advice. I was always afraid of hard sunlight until now.

[wojtekscibor]

I think this is the first video ever where I hear the author encouraging us shooting in harsh light (which I also like), so thank you very much for staying true and spreading the word. those examples you presented here are just amazing and should make people shoot at the time of harsh light, too :)

[gordonhatusupy]

I love how you condense so much info into one video! Thanks Cam!

[stevewelsh__]

I dig your blunt 'can do' attitude with photography and video. Definitely given me some more inspiration, thanks man!

[guyphoto]

You're right on. I'm a long time model, glamour, photographer and have done tons of shooting in what most people would consider lousy light; midday, etc. But using a scrim, and/or reflector or wall etc. as you mentioned, I'm able to get loop and/or Rembrandt lighting and the hard lines accentuate the angles of the face. You have to learn to "see" light. Good work, and good advice particularly to photographers learning lighting, posing and are being told "head for the shade."

[melkelrossette]

You're the first person that backs up what I've been trying to tell people around me recently. They just look at me crazy... to shoot in harsh light as well as soft, and IG can be the devil to photographers. I've been telling people that I want to be a great photographer, and by great, being able to shoot in any lighting condition that is given to me. That is how I could stand out... shooting in situations people are scared of and walk away from.