How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight

  • April 18, 2008
  • 7,225 Views
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Transform bright light from a foe to a friend with a simple polarizing filter.

You Will Need

  • A camera
  • Circular polarizing filter
  • And eye protection or sunglasses
How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Put on sunglasses

Step 1: Put on sunglasses

Put on your sunglasses—you don’t want to hurt your own eyes.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Pick subject

Step 2: Pick subject

Decide on what subject you wish to shoot.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Position your back toward the sun and your subject

Step 3: Position your back toward the sun and your subject

Position yourself according to the orientation of the sun, with your back toward the sun and your subject facing the sun to minimize shadows on their faces.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Attach polarizing filter

Step 4: Attach polarizing filter

Grab your camera and screw on a polarizing filter, which will help defray excess UV light.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Set ISO to lowest setting

Step 5: Set ISO to lowest setting

Set your ISO to the lowest possible setting, such as 100.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Turn off auto-mode

Step 6: Turn off auto-mode

Turn of your auto-mode and choose either Manual, Aperture Priority, or Shutter Speed priority modes.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Compose shot

Step 7: Compose shot

Compose your shot.

Compose your subject by using the rule of thirds, where your subject is either in the left or right third, not the direct middle, for the most interesting pictures.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Focus on the subject

Step 8: Focus on the subject

Focus on the subject.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Take a light reading

Step 9: Take a light reading

Take a light reading by metering the subject.

If your camera has a built-in light meter, it will meter through the glass, adjusting for the polarizing lens. If, however, you’re using a hand-held meter, be sure to add the appropriate ƒ-stop by reading the instructions on the filter’s packaging.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Select shutter speed and aperture

Step 10: Select shutter speed and aperture

Select your shutter speed and aperture, based on your readings.

In bright situations your camera’s meter system will tend to underexpose your shot to balance out the amount of light hitting your sensor. If you want “white” snow, not “grey” snow, over-expose your shots by 1/2 to a full stop.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Adjust polarizing filter until sky is deep blue

Step 11: Adjust polarizing filter until sky is deep blue

Look through your viewfinder at the subject and adjust your polarizing filter until the sky is a deep blue.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Re-focus

Step 12: Re-focus

Re-focus on the subject.

How To Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight: Shoot until satisfied

Step 13: Shoot until satisfied

Shoot until you’re satisfied, then shoot a little more, just in case.

The intensity of ultraviolet rays increases 5% every 1000 feet of elevation you gain.

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Comments (1)

subho

It's a fine teaching video.I like it.If you want to see more videos click on www.uploaded.tv

over 3 years ago by subho

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