9 Ways to Shoot in Harsh Light

Photographing in harsh lighting can be tricky. The sun isn't usually directly overhead as often as you think. Even during mid-day, it tends to be slightly off to one side. You can use this to your advantage by paying attention to where shadows fall and position your subjects so the sun is behind them. This backlighting technique creates a soft, glowing outline around your subject while keeping harsh shadows off their face.

Sometimes harsh light can actually work in your favor if you find a natural reflector. Light-colored surfaces like sidewalks, sandy paths, or light-colored walls can bounce light back onto your subject's face, softening shadows and creating a more balanced look. Position your subject so they are facing the light reflecting from these surfaces. 

If there is no natural shade, create your own by using a portable diffuser. Hold it between the sun and your subject to soften the direct light. This reduces harsh shadows on the face and gigves a more flattering, even light. This is especially useful when shooting portraits outdoors. 

Direct sunlight on your subject's face or chest can cause bright spots that are tough to correct later. Use the environment or even the subject's own body to block those intense areas. Encourage your subject to use props (like a bouquet or jacket) to naturally shield the most intense areas. 

Shooting with a wide aperature (like f/2.0 or f/2.8) helps soften the light and blur the background, making the light appear less harsh. Longer focal lengths (50mm or longer) compress the background and can make even bright, sunny conditions look creamy and smooth. This combination also adds a touch of depth and subject seperation from the background.

Bright backgrounds can make your subject look underexposed, especially in harsh light. Instead, find a darker or shaded background that contrasts nicely with your subejct. This not only keeps the focus on yoru subject but also minimizes the impact of blown-out highlights.

Sometimes, the best and easiest way to deal with overexposed spots is to eliminate them from the frame. If your subject's face and upper body are perfectly lit, but the ground around them is blown out, go for a tighter crop. Focus on the upper body or take close-up shots to keep the well-lit areas as the main focus. 

When shooting in harsh light, its tempting to expose for the whole scene. Instead, meter for your subject's face to ensure skin tones look natural and well-lit. Even if the background is slightly overexposed, it's easier to adjust later in post than fixing poorly exposed skin. 

One of the easiest ways to deal with harsh light is to move your subject into open shade. Look for the shadlow of a building, a large tree, or a covered area. Open shade diffuses sunlight, giving you softer, more even lighting while still keeping the natural feel. Just make sure there's enough light ambient light to avoid flat, dull tones.