18 10 August 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
TOM’S TIPS FOR SHOOTING IN HARSH LIGHT
Use shadows creatively
Shadows can often be distracting, but you can
use them to your advantage. They can add
depth to your photo and act as leading lines to
direct the viewer through the photo, especially
when using a wideangle lens.
Slow it down
An ND filter is great for getting rid of people
from a busy beach as I did here in Carmel Bay,
California. I used a 1-minute exposure to give
the sunlit beach a softer look and the people
walking along the beach disappeared.Striking silhouettes
Shooting into the sun can produce graphic
results. Select a definable subject and try not
to merge different elements together. Place
the sun behind your subject and have it peek
out using a small aperture to create a sunburst.Technique
at either ends of the day for the best
light, but don’t put your camera
away when the sun is high in the sky
because you’ll be missing out on so many
more great photo possibilities. Using a
polarising filter will help to darken the
blue sky and make those clouds pop out,
as well as remove glare and reflections
from foliage, water and buildings thus
increasing colour saturation. The bright
highlights of rocky coastlines and white
buildings can often run the risk of burning
out in strong lighting conditions, but using
a polariser will help to control the light.
It’s especially useful at midday in tropical
coast locations when the sun penetrates
the water reflecting off a sandy ocean floor.
A polariser will remove the reflections
on the surface of the water allowing the
turquoise colour to come through.
I often use a polariser along with a
neutral density (ND) filter, especially
when photographing along the coast, in
order to slow the exposure down to
create a misty water effect. Of course,
you’ll need to mount your camera on a
tripod to execute this technique. If there
are any clouds present I use a long enough
exposure to get some movement in them.
It’s ideal when the clouds are moving
towards the camera to create an explosive
sky effect emanating from the centre of the
frame. Which ND filter you use depends
on the time of day. I use the LEE Super
Stopper (15 stops) when the sun’s intensity
is the strongest, enabling exposures of
several minutes. I wouldn’t recommend
using this at any other time or your
exposures would be hours, if not days,
long! The LEE Big Stopper (10 stops)
is perfect for shooting when light levels
are lower in the morning or afternoon
depending on the length of exposure you
desire. The LEE Little Stopper (6 stops) is
great for low light or when you only need
an exposure of a few seconds.Cloudscape over Callanish Stones, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK
Nikon D800, 24-70mm, 138sec at f/16, ISO 100