Capturing Sunlight {digitally} (a guest post by ashlyn)

hello.

my name is ashlyn.

i own an Olympus Digital, Point and Shoot, Camera.

and i realize that it is diffucult to get

a

 beautiful sunlight look

in your pictures.

One thing that I definitely have trouble with is

getting a good picture with good sunlight in it.

and it not being silhoutte.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Don't get me wrong. I do like silhouette, when I want it.

Hey, do you want every single picture that way when you are taking pictures in bright light with a Point and Shoot?

Because there are times when the sun is extremely bright, there's no shade trees in sight, and you just have to take a pictures of your sister running to you.

But, doesn't the picture above look better instead of the one below?

Evening is especially hard. This is around 7:30 central.

It's completely dark in the shade; glaring without.

You know the feeling.

So... what do you do???

I have three tips. Number one is definitely important, the most helpful. Heeeere goes.

 

1. Shoot in Macro/Super Macro.

{I use this mode all the time}

Let me explain why.

Your focus point in your camera, naturally, is drawn to the light.
Thus making for the sillhoute effect.

When using macro, you can manually 'figure out' where you want your focus point at, and it still gets the sun as well.

Here's an example(s).

example #1.

Below: This is in macro.

Notice that while the sun is there, you can still see the purple flower and the green leaves.

 Not taken in Macro. All you can see is the sun and the trees in the background.

example #2

please ignore the red dots. that's something I'm working on.=D

Anyway, the one below is in Macro. The green is still there and you can see the red raspberries.

 Below, not Macro. The camera focuses on the light, thus the result.

 example #3

This one I had in Super Macro. I focused on the grass a few feet ahead, thus blurring the ones there. You can still see the bright lighting in the picture.

Not macro. (although, I do like this picture!!!)

Does everyone see the difference. Macro changes your whole picture. Also.

Macro is not just for close up--- it can be used, basically, in every picture.

{Unless.... you are trying for a sillhoute.}

2. Darken Manually.

Turn the brightness down!

(a.very.simple.one.)

example.

See the drastic lighting in this picture? The shaded area looks almost completely black. Not what you want!

 Too bright!!! Yes, the shady area is not as dark- but look beyond. yuck.

 not perfect, but better. The shade area you can tell is actually green, and the place where it is getting direct sunlight is not causing you to blink your eyes.

It can really change a lot!

3. Position your camera better.

As you will see below in the two pictures, I noticed where the glaring sun was at and changed my position.

Well, Hope that Helps! It has helped me anways!

I know these ideas are simple, easy, and I'm sure ya'all already know, but I'm learning!

Until Next Time, Happy Shooting in

The Sun!

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Ashlyn: A Christian, saved by the blood of the LORD Jesus Christ. A daughter, homeschooled by her mom. A sister, to six in September. Aspiring Photographer, loving and learning to Capture Memories for a Lifetime. Avid Piano Player, History Lover, and a girl who loves to write. {Read more about me here. }

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Thanks for guest posting Ashlyn! :)