How to Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight.
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.
Step 1.
Put on your sunglasses—you don’t want
to hurt your own eyes.
Step 2.
Decide on what subject you wish to shoot.
Step 3.
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.
Step 4.
Grab your camera and screw on a polarizing
filter, which will help defray excess UV light.
Step 5.
Set your ISO to the lowest possible setting,
such as 100.
Step 6.
Turn of your auto-mode and choose either Manual,
Aperture Priority, or Shutter Speed priority
modes.
Step 7.
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.
Step 8.
Focus on the subject.
Step 9.
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.
Step 10.
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.
Step 11.
Look through your viewfinder at the subject
and adjust your polarizing filter until the
sky is a deep blue.
Step 12.
Re-focus on the subject.
Step 13.
Shoot until you’re satisfied, then shoot
a little more, just in case.
Did you know The intensity of ultraviolet
rays increases 5% every 1000 feet of elevation
you gain.
