Creating Flattering Portraits in midday Sunlight ☀️

When you first start shooting portraits you probably started outside right? I mean, maybe some us didn't start off with lighting kits or even know how to use them if we did. But the one thing that we did do was avoid direct sunlight like vampires lol. I know I did. We're not supposed to shoot in direct sunlight, that's the rule right?

Wrong!

There are many situations where you CAN use direct sunlight to your advantage either on purpose to create beautiful hard light photos utilizing those harsh shadows, or if you basically have no choice.

So the sun at noon brings out harsh shadows, emphasizes textures, creates unflattering highlights and makes the eyes look sunken, so what do we do??

Well the 2 challenges we have to solve are the quality of light and the direction of light.

Here are 3 tips you can take with you the next time you have to shoot in mid day sun.

Tip #1: Diffuse the sunlight -- this one is pretty straight forward. Use something like a 3 in 1 reflector/diffuser or try using a shoot through umbrella. Note: You may need something larger than your typical one! When the sun hits the diffusion material it spreads out and becomes a larger softer light source and loses it specularity (aka shine) and instantly becomes more flattering to the skin.

Bonus tip: Be sure to lift the subject's head so that more of the light gets into their eyes, additionally you can add a reflector for fill light.

Tip #2: Bounce Reflectors - Look for a large preferably white surface (to avoid color cast) that you can use to bounce the light. This can be a sidewalk, a white wall, even the side of a van! (The metal surface will be highly reflective). When the sun hits the surface it bounces off and becomes a large soft light source, beautiful light. Be sure to have the subject's back to the sun, or place them in the shadow just opposite that bounce reflector.

If you can't find a natural bounce reflector (for instance if you're shooting in a field, all grass, in a park etc) than my go-to is using a v-flat (my favorites are from V-Flat World because they fold down nicely and are ultra portable then).

Tip #3: Embrace the Sunlight - So far i've shown you two examples on how to soften midday light, but what about just embracing it? Sunlight is hard, but it can also create beautiful high contrast images. Hard light images love black and white because of the contrast, so now is your opportunity to shoot keeping that end result in mind as well!

Bonus tip: Depending on your subject you may want to use blotting papers or matte makeup to help reduce oily skin to control unwanted textures.

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🧐 Also be sure to check out these videos on using natural light:

📸 Gear:
☀️ Sunlight

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[josephbarberphotography]

I love mid day light! Just about controlling it. I feel golden hour is always a race against the clock too

[rohanjoshi]

Tougher the conditions, better the photographer you become. Keep shooting guys 👍

[effieskitsa]

I use all three tips when I shoot at high noon and I must say that I agree with you that Shooting in the mid of the day can be challenging however the results can be fascinating!

[marchinderickx]

I love this kind of video: Really to the point. You’re the best ;-)

[jasoncario]

Short, sweet, direct to the point! Very helpful tips! Glad I came across your channel when I did. Thanks.

[sandramichelle]

That last final image with the tarp and finger shadows is gorgeous! Definitely something new to try...thanks Lindsay!

[jaekim]

Clear, simple, and creative...always

Perfect as always. No wonder why you are one of my favorite photographers and teachers!

[darklighthouse]

Thank you again for a high impact "tip" video, presented in a concise manner!! Great advice!!

[luissalazar]

I do like the umbrella, nice job as always, thanks for sharing

[MD-hgjl]

You had the best course on creative live about posing!!

[indiandiesel]

All your videos are explained so well. Thank you 🙏. One of the best! 💯

[Nadine.]

This was really helpful! Thank you Lindsay, I love all of your tutorials!

[HaimGreen]

Great video, I need this diffuser ...

[marshabernstein]

Lindsay, you're the best - thanks for sharing!

[substygram]

This video absolutely changed my mind! Much thanks to you Lindsay :)

[manishmishra]

Wonderful video Lindsay..thank you so much for this !!

[jjorgetome]

Obrigado, Garota! Seria fácil te escrever em ingles, mas gosto de lembrar que sou do Brasil e esta convidada pra vir aqui. Amei especialmente a ultima foto pela iluminação contrastada. Fantástica!

[sabinl]

Great video tutorial in the last week I have watched almost all of what you have put out there can't wait to see more....with that had a few questions...
1. How do you handle V-flat on a windy day - any V-flat world or others provide to make sure it does not blow away?
2. When shooting mid-day what is F-stop range you are usually shooting at?

Thanks!

[barryobrien]

Take advantage of the sunny 16 rule and the poor dynamic range of the camera to darken backgrounds while maintaining great color in the full sun. Thanks for the great advice