Summer is one of the best times of year to take photos, whether you are going on holiday or staying local. These six tips will help your pictures turn out well.
Why summer photos can be difficult
The problem is the light. At midday the sun is high and harsh. It makes hard shadows, bleaches colours and has people squinting. Most of the tips below are ways of finding softer light or making the best of what you have.
1. Find soft natural light
Look for places where the light is filtered or comes from one side: under trees, in a doorway or archway, or beside a window. Open shade on a bright day is very flattering for portraits. Churches can be beautiful, with light falling through stained glass.
A spot near a window is an excellent choice for portraits indoors, and the shadows cast by objects in the room can add interest. If there is not enough light, add a soft, diffused lamp rather than a bare flash.
2. Shoot in the golden hour
The golden hour is the time just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the sun is low and the light is warm and soft. It flatters skin and brings out detail and texture.
As the evening goes on the light fades, so you may need a steadier hand or a little extra light. A ring light can help even out the tones on a face.
3. Try manual mode
Choosing your own shutter speed and aperture can make or break a shot. The right settings depend on the subject and on your camera, and a phone offers fewer of them than an SLR.
- Portraits. Use a wide aperture to blur the background. In full sun, move your subject into shade, or use a little flash to lift the shadows on the face.
- Landscapes. Use a narrower aperture so the scene is sharp from front to back, and shoot around sunrise or sunset for the best light.
- Still life. Nothing is moving, so you can use a slower shutter speed. Rest the camera on something steady.
- Action. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement, with a wider aperture to let in enough light.
If that sounds like too much, the automatic or 'P' mode will do most of it for you. Every shot is different, so check the result and adjust.
4. Bring some props
Props say 'summer' at a glance: a bunch of flowers, an ice cream, a bucket and spade, a water pistol.
Pets make great subjects too, because they are part of the family. Bring a favourite toy or ball to hold their attention while you take the picture.
5. Choose your background
What is behind your subject matters as much as the subject. Stand someone in front of a fence, a wall or a row of flowerpots and the background frames them. Trees in the distance give a picture depth.
For a different sort of self-portrait, photograph your own shadow. It sounds silly, but it is often more interesting than another selfie.
6. Look for patterns
A single flower or a patch of grass can look a little plain. Look for a pattern to set it against, such as brickwork or tiles behind the flowers, for a contrast between the man-made and the natural.
The same goes for landscapes and buildings. Use trees to frame the scene, and look for repeating windows or a passer-by to bring a dull building to life.
Conclusion
Photography takes time and patience, so do not be discouraged if you do not get it right first time. Keep shooting, keep trying new things, and your photos will get better.
Taken one you are proud of? Call EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 or email sales@EasyFrame.co.uk and we will help you frame it.