7 Ideas to Shoot Stunning Landscape Photos in the Middle of the Day

Landscape Photography Question of the Week - How can I shoot better photos in harsh, midday light? As landscape photographers we are conditioned to think that the only time we can shoot photos is around sunrise or sunset. In this video I offer seven ideas of how you can shoot fantastic landscape photos in the middle of the day.

Be sure to buy TJ Thorne's eBook, "There's No Such Thing As Bad Light" -

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[JoshuaCrippsPhotography]

Got a burning question about landscape photography? Ask it here! I'll choose the best questions to be featured in future videos.

[Jakiyyyyy]

Nobody did a summary so I did.

1. God beams
2. Backlit tree leaves/sunburst
3. Curvature elements
4. Go small/macro
5. Spot light on the subject
6. Go high contrast B&W
7. Find a shade somewhere

Thank you for sharing. :)

[davidr]

The advice of pursuing the light provided rather than the shot desired really captures the technical and creative essence of photography. Great tip! I used to play around with night time urban photography so trying to find interesting scenes with interesting light was a cool challenge, despite the limits of shooting handheld with a crop sensor and a kit lens😂

[johntad]

talent, I always wonder how magazines back in the days (90s) from what I remembered has great hypnotism while waiting for my dentist checkup and thinking it was the anesthesia that put me to sleep. I feel sleepy now. bye.

[silentguy]

I think that maximising your time out in the field forces you to do things and think creatively. You can’t let 6 or 7 hours go by without making them work for you.

[TheCountryFarmhouse]

Brilliant! I am a new subscriber. You are teaching me great things. Will be watching every video lol.

[ricardohnn]

Hey Joshua... You are my top 3 best photography teacher... I love your tutorials and the shots that you get...

[silviafirmino]

Great tips! Happy you are back in YouTube!

[durbarchakraborty]

Glad to see that you have come back on youtube. You were the first one to inspire me in photography. Thank you for that. I had been missing your tutorials. Thanks for putting a new video.

[alohaleslie]

Thanks Josh! Great info. I captured some really stunning photos of Smith Rock in Bend in the middle of the day with sunshine galore! On the other hand, I had a challenging time recently shooting Snoqualmie Falls. It was tricky getting the right exposure and was disappointed with the pics I got, other than those shot within the trees. It has lots to do with how much reflected light is going on and how good one is with camera settings. I'm pretty new so I have much more to learn. Thanks again!

[acottagefortwo]

Yay! Thanks for this! I love landscape photography but have absolutely NO interest in golden hour photoshoots - it’s so overdone and have become cliché to me. In addition, I much prefer being out during midday. Thanks for these tips and I’ll go and check out that book now.

[tjc]

Hey Joshua, I really appreciate that you called out TJ's book at the end. I feel like that gives you way more cred than perhaps one of your own books

[Martin-nuym]

Excellent advice. I thoroughly enjoy shooting in harsh, midday light -- I use my converted Infrared camera. 😁

[slowlyrusting]

I find myself, especially on vacation, in this mindset that because of the limited amount of time in this particular location I am going to MAKE a photo happen no matter how "bad" the light, or what time of day. My mid afternoon attempts are often lackluster. Need to make a slight adjustment from MAKING it happen to ALLOWING it to happen. Easier said than done...

[davidhoffner]

Just wanted to say, Glad you're back

[tinaworth]

Would like to see ways of shooting mountain landscape. like those of the blue ridge parkway in Tennesse

[sarahlyndsay]

Great vid Josh.. enjoyed it. Beard is looking good!!! 😁

[tomwarrington]

Great tips! As a photo enthusiast I don't get a lot of chances to shoot during the magic hours, so much of my images are shot in the mid day. It's all about working with what you have to get results.

[joepalmer]

Great points. So many YouTube videos only point to sunrise and sunset as best time (which is true) for photography. It's important to keep in mind that for those traveling or on vacation that those times aren't always open. Mid-day light can always help to create great pics at our national parks or almost anywhere. And really, at the end of the day (unless you are getting paid) your pictures should be the what I term "creation of memories". I'll remember the place and people I was with, not the exposure. Thanks again.

[ntauzaug]

I lot of people take helicopter flying over the Grand Canyon and all of them are filled with glare and haze and uneven lighting so what would be the best setting and filters to use to improve the video?