Shooting in Harsh Light

Earlier this month, I traveled back home to the Chicago area for a family barbecue.  I was so excited to go home!  It was my first flight since the Pandemic, and it was a chance to get away from the routine of home.  I knew that I was going to take pictures during the barbecue, but I hadn’t planned on a session at the beach!

My Aunt Linda and her niece, Shanti, were interested in portrait sessions.  I originally had planned on some self-portraits at the beach, but the heat and crowded beach quickly changed my plans.  

Shanti wasn’t sure how to pose.  I told her that the best poses are unscripted ones.  I encouraged her to just walk on the shore, kick her get in the water occasionally, and look up at me when I gave her direction. The first and biggest issue with the shoot was the time of day.  We were there at noon!  I didn’t bring any lights with me because I was traveling light, and it was too windy to handle a reflector on my own.  With that, I put the sun to Shanti’s back.  We managed to get a few shots, but I know that I could have done better.

We ventured into Downtown Evanston in search of shade for Aunt Linda’s portraits.  We parked the car near the El Station, and I saw the perfect location to photograph her.  It was a tunnel leading to one of the entrances to the train station.  It was shaded, and the tunnel provided a great dark backdrop for the shot.  I was pleased with the images.

So, how do you get better shooting in harsh light?  You shoot in harsh light.  You learn how to operate your gear.  I don’t typically shoot at that time of day because of the heat, but I do intend to improve my images by using that type of light.  Also, I would have fared a lot better if I had a neutral density filter.