Photography Tips for Shooting in Harsh Sunlight

Bright midday sun might seem perfect for photos — but it often leads to harsh shadows, squinting faces, and blown highlights.

Still, shooting in strong sunlight is sometimes unavoidable. The good news? With a few simple techniques, you can work with harsh light and still get beautiful, professional-looking results.

Here’s how to take better photos even under the toughest sunlight conditions.

1. Avoid Shooting at Noon (If Possible)

The sun is highest — and harshest — between 11am and 2pm. Shadows fall directly downward, and the light is very intense.

Best light of the day:

Golden hour: 1 hour after sunrise or before sunset
Early morning or late afternoon: softer, more angled light
Cloudy days: natural diffuser!

But if you have to shoot in strong sunlight, read on 👇

2. Use Open Shade

Move your subject into open shade — a spot that’s shaded but still near a bright area.

Examples:

Under a tree
Next to a building
Under a porch or umbrella
Inside a car with windows down

This removes harsh shadows and creates soft, even lighting for portraits or objects.

3. Use a Reflector (Even DIY)

A reflector bounces light back onto your subject’s face, filling in dark shadows caused by strong sunlight.

You can use:

A white foam board
A car windshield reflector
A white wall or t-shirt
Purpose-built folding reflectors (gold, silver, white)

Place it opposite the sun, angled to brighten the shadow side of the subject.

4. Use Backlighting (Sun Behind the Subject)

Instead of facing the sun, turn your subject so the sun is behind them.

Benefits:

Reduces squinting
Creates beautiful rim light (glow around hair/body)
Eliminates harsh front shadows

Set your camera to expose for the face, not the background — or use spot metering.

5. Look for Interesting Shadows and Contrast

Instead of fighting the light, embrace it artistically.

Try:

Shooting silhouettes
Highlighting strong geometric shadows
Capturing contrast between light and dark areas
Framing your subject with dramatic lighting

Harsh light = drama, mood, and high visual impact if you use it creatively.

6. Use Lens Hoods or Your Hand to Block Glare

Direct sunlight hitting your lens can cause lens flare or haze.

Fix it by:

Using a lens hood (most lenses come with one)
Holding your hand or a notebook to shade the lens
Using your body or shooting from the shade

This helps preserve contrast and clarity in bright scenes.

7. Adjust Your Camera Settings

Bright light gives you more flexibility — just don’t overexpose.

8. Use Filters (Optional)

A neutral density (ND) filter or polarizer can help control light in harsh conditions.

ND filters reduce overall light, letting you shoot with wider apertures
Polarizers reduce glare from water, glass, and shiny surfaces

Ideal for landscape or outdoor portrait photographers.

9. Edit to Recover Detail

Even if highlights are a bit strong or shadows are deep, post-processing can help.

In Lightroom or Snapseed:

Lower highlights
Lift shadows
Adjust white balance (sunlight may cause warm tones)
Increase contrast or clarity for drama

RAW files help you recover more detail, so shoot in RAW if possible.

Final Thoughts: Make Harsh Light Work for You

Shooting in strong sunlight may not be easy, but it can produce powerful, high-contrast, bold images when done right.

Remember:

Don’t fight the sun — understand it, position your subject wisely, and use the light to your advantage.

With practice, you’ll stop avoiding the sun… and start mastering it. ☀️📸