As photographers, we’ve been taught to get out early or late to get the best light and to pack up the cameras during the middle of the day.  This time of day, called the ‘harsh hour’ by some, finds most serious photographers relaxing rather than taking photographs.

Would you be surprised to learn you can still some excellent photographs during the harsh hour?  You can.  Here’s a few tips on how to do just that.

Stay Close

During the brightest part of the day, shooting landscapes and wide-angle shots isn’t ideal.   Rather than sitting around pining for better light, why not grab a long lens and find something to shoot up close?

When you’ve got bright sun, the ideal thing to do is find your longest lens or get as close to your subject as safety allows and shoot as tight as possible.

Take a look at my female cowbird photograph.  This photo was taken at about 2PM on a bright Summer day.  Most photographers would have missed this photo….not me!  {note…this is actually pure luck on my part…I was sitting on my back porch and she flew so close that I had to get her photo}

By shooting close and tight, you can remove the distracting shadows caused by the harsh light.  While still not as ideal as shooting in early morning or late evening light, using this tip will get you a few more hours of shooting during each day.

Use a flash

Another tip often overlooked is that of using a flash.  Most outdoor photographers use flash as fill flash when working in low light or in shady areas.  But flash can help fill in the shadows created by the harsh light.  If you’re shooting your long lenses, grab a Better Beamer or other light shaper to throw your flash further.

Confront the Sun!

Another idea for beating the harsh sun is to actually confront it and use it to your advantage.  There are two options here:

• Put your subject between the sun and you -  If you’re shooting birds-in-flight (BIF) try to get the the bird in a line between you and the sun. This will provide remove the harshness of the sun and the front of the bird should still be well lit from other ambient light sources.  If you can’t get the BIF directly between you and the sun, do what you can.  While this works best for birds-in-flight, it can also be used for many other types of shooting from portraits to architecture.

• Use the sun to highlight your subject.  Getting the  subject between you and the sun is a tough proposition.  If you can’t get situated correctly, use the sign to highlight your subject. Try to position yourself in such a way as to get the sun off to the side providing highlights.
• Get in front of the sun.  Another way to confront the sun is to look for your shadow and point it at your subject. This will get the sun directly behind you.  Now…get low and close and be ready for the surprise.  You’ll get some great shots as long as you stay close to the subject.

Find some shade

Another way to overcome the harsh sun is to find some shade….if your subject(s) will let you!  Find some shade around…whether its man-made or natural.   If there are clouds around and moving, wait for them to block the sun for a little bit of shade.  Find a forest, a hill or even a building…find the shade and grab some shots.

As an example, look at this Gray Jay from that I took while in Yellowstone. The day was a harsh one and Tracie and I started looking for some shade and a nice place for lunch. We found some great shade around a river and sat down for lunch. After lunch we took a stroll along the river and I caught site of this beautiful Gray. I had my Canon 400 5.6 L and got in nice and tight. Using the shade and staying close, I was able to get a great shot during the middle of the day.

Can’t find any shade?  Make it.  For small objects, your body, your bag, a shirt or a friend can create shade to block that nasty sun.

Do you have other tips for beating the harsh sun? Any other photography tips? Send them in via email or drop them in the comments below.

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