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think one of the top questions I get asked during workshops and mentoring is how I get my images so creamy without them being completely blown out with sunflare!!! And that's a great question -- and for years I had no actual 'concept' of light.. I didn't know how to see it... how to look for it.. and 'what light was best for what'...
So I hope these tips and photos will help you shorten that time span of 'having no idea'!!!!
The VERY first thing you must understand is that there are different kinds of light... and these different kinds of light can produce different kinds of looks.
When I first started playing around with sunflare... I would put my client out in the field with the sun to their back.. and I'd shoot..
That was it.
And what I ended up with -- were photos like this..
When I started realizing I didn't like how washed out my photos were looking and how I was losing so much sharpness by shooting this way -- I added in a reflector.... So here's a shot without a reflector... I still love this photo -- mostly because of April and that pink flare... BUT... look at how muddy it is!!!
Look at these for example... they have the potential to be great shots -- but to me they're so faded and washed out looking!!!!
1. Put SOMETHING between your subject and the sun - ESPECIALLY if it's still bright out and the sun is still harsh... this can be anything from trees - the corner of a building... use your imagination.
2. Don't feel the need to put the ENTIRE sun in your photo... that's what I used to do... but NOW -- I use only the 'rays' from the sun vs the actual sun.. that's the number one way I get that 'creamy haze' in my photos.
3. Have your subject stand in the sun facing away from it (back to sun) -- shoot in a way where there is something between your subject and the sun -- and YOU stand in the shade.... that way you can still have RIM light -- which helps give your photo depth and that added pop.... WITHOUT having the photo blown out... Your photos are blown out because all of that sunlight is hitting your lens... And have you ever had an issue trying to focus when shooting this way -- there's your answer.
4. Use a reflector -- at least this way if you definitely want to shoot in the sun -- you can add some fill light back onto your subject... ensuring it doesn't end up blown out and lose details/contrast! (assuming your exposure is right... hehe)
5. Wait until the sun is super low and soft!
6. Use your lens hood -- not only does it protect your lens, but it also protects it from having any unwanted light hit your lens.
7. If you don't have any shade but still want this look -- use your hand to block the sun from hitting your lens, or have an assistant do this for you!!!
8. IGNORE ALL OF THESE RULES if you are sure you have the PERFECT shot for a sun-drenched - washed out look... because like I said.. there's a time and a place for it... art is subjective - so do your thing!!!! =)
9. I feel bad for not having two more tips.
10. HAVE FUN... Hope this helpsssss <3
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