We are nearing summer in Australia, and the sun will soon be shining down upon us with all of its power. The midday sun, which is at its strongest between roughly 11 AM and 3 PM daily, is often described as the worst time to take photos. The light is high, bright, and creates harsh shadows and extreme contrast that can make your subjects look unflattering and your photos appear "washed out." Unfortunately, you don't always have the luxury of waiting for the golden hour.
With a few simple techniques and the right gear, you can take amazing photos, even when the sun is directly overhead. Here's how to master shooting in the harsh midday light.
The Power of Shade and Smart Positioning
Instead of fighting the bright sun, look for ways to use the environment to soften it. The easiest solution is to simply move your subject into open shade. This means placing your subject just inside a doorway, under a balcony, or beneath a large, uniform roof. This puts them out of the direct light but still lets in soft, even light from the open sky, which eliminates harsh shadows on their faces.
If you can't find shade, use the sun's position to your advantage. Try backlighting your subject (placing the sun directly behind them). This minimises squinting and the deep shadows under their eyes and nose. When backlighting, the sun's harshness is hidden behind your subject, creating a nice rim of light around their hair or shoulders.
Controlling Contrast with the Right Gear (Filters & Flash)
To manage the extreme contrast created by midday light, you need tools that either block light or add light.
The best tool for blocking light is a Neutral Density (ND) filter. These are dark pieces of glass that attach to your lens, acting like sunglasses for your camera. They don't change the colour, but they force your camera to use a slower shutter speed or a wider aperture, which is helpful if you want to blur moving water or soften the look of bright scenes.
A simple way to add light is by using fill flash. When the sun creates deep, dark shadows on your subject (like under a hat), a small burst of flash can "fill in" those dark areas, making the overall exposure more balanced. You don't need a massive flash; even your camera's built-in flash can work if you are close enough to your subject.
Embracing the Light: Creative Uses for Strong Shadows
Instead of avoiding harsh light, you can use its unique quality to create striking, graphic images.
One of the most powerful creative techniques for midday shooting is creating silhouettes. To do this, expose your photo for the very bright background (the sky or a sunlit wall) and let your subject remain completely underexposed and dark. This turns people or objects into strong, identifiable shapes that give your photo drama and simplicity. Strong midday light is perfect for this because it provides the clear separation between light and dark that silhouettes require.
You can also use the sharp, dark shadows themselves as part of your composition. Look for interesting shadow patterns on walls, the ground, or even across a person's face. These shadows can act as leading lines or bold abstract shapes that add a unique, dynamic element to your photo.
Gear Deep Dive: Essential Photography Equipment for Midday Shooting Success
To consistently conquer the midday sun, here are a few key items that should be in your camera bag:
Lens Hoods: Always keep your lens hood attached. It mechanically blocks stray light from hitting your lens and causing flare or reduced contrast, which is a major problem when the sun is overhead.
UV Filters: While not essential for image quality, a clear filter protects your expensive front glass element from dirt, dust, and accidental bumps, which are common when shooting outdoors.
A Reflector: A simple collapsible reflector is a very lightweight and effective tool. Instead of adding a flash, a reflector bounces natural light onto your subject, instantly softening shadows and creating a more flattering light without needing a battery.
Portable Diffusers: Similar to a reflector, a white translucent diffuser (often built into a reflector kit) can be held above a subject to scatter and soften the harsh direct sunlight, acting like a giant, soft natural light source.
Get Shooting; Rain, Hail or Shine.
So, whether you're battling harsh midday sun or embracing a moody downpour, remember that with Ted's Photography Blog, you have a Complete Guide to Photographing in Different Types of Weather and Light right at your fingertips. Now go grab your camera, whatever the forecast!