This detailed tutorial will walk you through natural light portraiture techniques that will help you to take your photography to the next level.
We are gonna break some rules and talk about how to shoot awesome portraits outside in bright sunlight in the middle of the day – without using reflectors or a flash to fill in the harsh shadows. We have all had that experience of going outside to photograph a model or shoot a portrait only to realize that the lighting sucks because it’s the middle of the day and the sun is high in the sky.
I rarely shoot with lighting equipment or reflectors outside. It’s just a pain in the butt unless I have an assistant to help with the stuff, not to mention that it takes time to set up and test your lighting. If you have the extra time – go for it.
Generally, I have limited time to get my shot, so my approach is to KISS IT! That’s right – Keep it simple stupid. The easiest solution is SHADE! Yup, place your subject in the shade.
Even in the middle of the day, you can find shade almost anywhere. Good shade creates soft, even, flattering light that is awesome for portraits and modeling shots.
I want to walk you through some examples of shots where I have used this technique and fill you in on some of the HOWS and WHYS that you should keep in mind before you run out to shoot at high noon.
Disclaimer – there is NO “perfect for everything lighting scenario.” Period. If you want to excel at photographing models or people, in general, using natural or even studio lighting, you have to learn how light works and, more importantly, how to “see the light.” I don’t mean go out and learn about 2 to 1 lighting ratios and Rembrandt lighting and that kind of stuff – you can if you really want to, but none of that will help you learn to see or use it creatively.
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#outdoorportraits #portraitphotography #portraitsonlocation
Comments
41 responses to “How to Shoot Great Portraits in Bright Sunlight | Portrait Photography”
Sir, this is one of the BEST guides I"ve ever seen on YT! Short, concise and extremely informative! Thanks to you, I'm going to try my next shoot with no strobes or reflectors.
This was a great video I’m always fighting the sun light 🥺
I've only watched a couple of your videos, just discovered your work. What got my subscription was you saying "work with what you have." Oftentimes, youtube and pro-photographers tell people they need this one thing that will magically make their photos incredible. Your video about light diffusers and talking about posterboard being one of your favorites sold me. I appreciate your honesty and down to earth perspective.
This remains a really great video. Thanks man.
You're just great.
I've been doing a lot of this lately. Got tired of walking around with a stand and a speedlite and softbox and dealing with HSS flash, or messing with reflectors and all that. I've gotten some really nice stuff walking around downtown and using shade provided by surrounding buildings. Like you say – soft, even lighting with great catch lights.
fantastic advice. spontaneous and rare family gathering occuring right now for me. I have BW film, and borrowing a classic minolta without meter. am going to try to utilize these suggestions, and expose sunny 16, modified for shade exposure (about PLUS 4 STOPS). then when getting home, figure out the best development time in Xtol to give proper proofs (which give easily printable negative density) thank you Joe!
Do you have any videos on techniques for on camera (i.e. using a speedlight for) fill flash when outdoors?
Ok I know this video is pretty old, but I have a question about the auto exposure part he mentioned. If I’m not using my light meter to nail the exposure, would I be using it as a place to start/a reference point to under expose the photo in this situation or am I taking shot after shot to find the right exposure? Time stamp 3:52
Great vid, incredible useful to me. Thanks Joe
Still one of the most important photography lessons I’ve ever seen. I have watched it countless times. Extremely valuable.
Great info! Love your tutorials!
Thanks!!!
A hell of a lighting lesson!
Thanks a lot!
What a helpful video, Joe. I appreciate what I have learned from this and it makes me want to go out and experiment. I need to spend more time in your catalogue of “older” videos.
I love the approach and share the advice about finding some shade, but I totally dislike the effects/postprod on the faces, they don't look natural/human at all 🙂
What kind of exposure and metering settings do we use in such conditions so that the face is correctly exposed and the background is not overexposed?
Good Stuff..Thank you.
Stumbled onto your channel Joe, very good stuff, subscribed!
Excellent video subcribed
Man, this is so informative. Thanks you so much. SUBSCRIBED!
Just wow, you popped up on my recommended list and your approach to photography is so simple it is insane. How have I been taking photographs for so long and you have fixed so many issues in such a short time! I can not wait to get through your entire list of videos and apply many of these techniques immediately. Thank you for making amazing content and making it insanely simple!
Wow! Joe responded to my post within 2 hours!!! He is going to be doing a post on white balance in the near future. Thanks Joe!
I have learned a lot from Joe. Thanks Joe. Why do you never talk about white balance?
Very nice video. I often face this situation and end up carrying tons of lighting equipment. This has been slowing me down.
Hi Joe,
Can you make a video how you process your photos and what software. ty!
Dude love your videos. Quick question I have acquired an olympus g40 flash and due to my total noobness I didnt realize this wasnt compatible with my oly em1. Do you know if i can use this flash as an off camera slave ? I cant figure it out and i cant find ANY info on it anywhere other than the fact that it was made for use on only 2 dang cameras. #Facepalm lol should I just ditch this thing and get a new one with flash triggers ? Or would it even work with a radio flash trigger ? Thanks in advance and thanks for the vids I'm getting kinda good with this here camera stuff thanks to you.
you have a master's eye, Joe.
awesome. I need to practice a really lot in order to see this.
I was thinking: ok, but there is no places like these here.
Than I realize that me thinking it doesn't exist is just me not seeing it. Because they probably exist in a different way.
Nice video. Thank you
Thanks for keeping it simple (KISS) for those of us who are not professionals. What problems I've encountered are people choosing wide open spaces on bright days where there honestly IS no shade, in which case, it's challenging!
Why would anyone give this a thumbs down.
Another great video, Joe
Joe, what I like most is you still talk about Film photography, these little bits make this extremely relevant to me as I am a hobbyist with a Hasselbald. Thank you for the great no nonsense videos
hello, the google translate is not possible. and i would to learn how to shoot in bright sunlight. and i ve don't .
Great video. I've been shooting for years – yet I learned a lot from your video. Thanks!
This video is filled with flattering portraits and you do utilize natural light extremely well, but the lighting is often too flat for my tastes. I prefer directional light. I like creating light that brings out the shape of a face and adds dimension and drama to a portrait.
You are a magician.. beautiful colors, beautiful pictures! You are not worried about the overexposed background?
I love your enthusiasm! You got yourself a great personality, mate. Thanks for this informative video 😉😉😉
best video ever man, finally some useful advise, wow, I am thankful mate.
Great tutorial!
Nice presentation and infos, gonna practice it
Excellent!…
You are a you tube photography genius! Love your videos