How I Shot This Portrait In Harsh Sunlight
Technical details on capturing drama outdoors
A few days ago, I shared a story with subscribers of Church & Street that asked: how long does it take to create a portrait? It was, by the standards of this newsletter, a deeply philosophical examination of our journey as photographers.
This week, I’m taking a more literal approach. I’d like to share another portrait from my recent trip to Longwa, Nagaland, and the details behind bringing an image like this to life.
The Details
This portrait was created on the Leica SL3 Reporter and the wildly compact SL 28-70mm F2.8 lens. The shutter speed was locked to 1/200, the aperture adjusted to F10, and the ISO set at 200 (this was likely the result of me accidentally knocking the dial from 100).
I had one of my guides hold a Godox speedlite from the left, almost opposite to where the sun was beaming from. I then punched my lens all the way to 70mm and got low to eliminate any distractions from the background while placing my subject in a powerful position. After a few dozen frames, a divine breeze came through and set the stage for this image. Thank you, Mother Nature.
The Context
Shortly after I arrived in Longwa, I learned that there were only 14 remaining elders of the Konyak tribe in this village, all of whom were north of 80 years old. I’d set out on a mission to document as many of them as possible. This meant I’d have to be shooting constantly, rather than just waiting for “good” light. This is where understanding off-camera lighting and creative positioning make all the difference.
You see, I didn’t know who I’d be meeting, when I’d meet them, or where they’d be. But with a small light and a little patience, I could treat each situation like a unique set and look to carve a story that best suited that specific subject.
This is a portrait of Panpha, the last elder we met on this trip. He’s 86 years old and he’ll be the chief representative for his tribe at the 2026 Hornbill Festival. With this knowledge, I wanted to frame him in a more aspirational, leadership-style pose. The light and contrast were also designed to support this direction. And thankfully, it all came together perfectly.
Like I’ve said in the past, we can’t always choose the conditions in which we practice our craft. But we can always choose the conviction with which we meet them.
Good light is great. Great effort is undefeated.
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Leica Akademie: Video for Photographers - Seattle
In March of next year, I’m leading a three-day workshop for photographers who are new to video. Whether you’re looking to create short films, branded content, or simply elevate your visual storytelling, this workshop provides a practical introduction to filmmaking. Learn more here.
Arctic 2026 Photography Adventure (Limited Seats Available)
In 2024, I traveled to Svalbard with Quark Expeditions and it was unforgettable. I’m planning a return trip in 2026 with a group of photographers. This is not a workshop. It’s an excuse for like-minded storytellers to visit one of the most remote places on earth. If that sounds like you, fill out this form to learn more.
India: North & South Workshop (Two Seats Remaining)
Next year, I’m heading to India again for our second street photography adventure across the North and South. Seats have just been made available for those looking for a deep, immersive photography experience. Learn more here.
Previous Favourites
January Contest Winner
Congratulations to the winner of last month’s contest:
D. Velkovich
You’ll receive an email directly from me on receiving your prize. Enjoy!
February Contest
This month, I’ll be giving away a $250 gift card to the Moment Shop where the winner can save big on their next camera, lens, bag, or courses. Moment has so many creative products to choose from and $250 can absolutely make for a great deal.
How will I pick the winner? Make sure you’re signed up for this newsletter then leave a comment on at least one post from this month. I’ll be randomly picking one person, confirming they meet the requirements and contacting them directly before announcing the winner publicly.
As always, this contest is void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
My thanks to the team at Moment! Not only for this contest but for being the longest supporter of my work online. They’re a lean team of passionate creators that truly believe in supporting other creatives on their journey. Whether it’s a new camera, lens, workshop, or just some great articles, visit ShopMoment.com today.
What’s Next?
I’m back from my first trip to India this year. It was another one for the books. For those of you that have wanted to visit, or just practice your photography with more intention here, I strongly recommend my Streets of India workshop. My hope was to design the best street photography experience for guests and this year, it’s shaping up to be the best one yet.
GB
Powerful image. It is always about preparation...practical and emotional.
So much story in one photo!