Shooting Portraits in Harsh Sunlight

Seven techniques to master portraits in the brightest light

I think there’s something about being a creative that makes many of us natural contrarians. That’s why when I was told—like so many of you I imagine—that shooting in direct sunlight is bad, that it’s something you should never do, that portraits taken in these conditions would look unflattering, I couldn’t help but feel that something was off. That this ‘advice’ an overgeneralization.

Are we really supposed to wait for overcast skies or golden hour to practice outdoor portraiture? That seems like a waste. If you consider your lifetime opportunities to practice photography as a finite number, avoiding harsh light would dramatically reduce your practice time. And to me, well, that just doesn’t feel right.

Instead, what if we took advantage of the sun? What if we worked within its challenges to create a different kind of story? What if there were simple techniques to help us capture great portraits even in harsh sunlight? Well, dear reader, I’ve got seven techniques you can start using right now.

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The Shot

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The Details

This portrait was capture last year on a Leica SL3-S and SL Vario-Elmarit 24-90mm lens. The aperture was set to F8.0 so I could keep the detail between the tip of the nose and the fingertips. The ISO was locked to 100 and the shutter speed landed at 1/80 in this instance.

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Understanding the Problems

Before we dive into techniques, we need to understand the challenges of shooting in harsh sunlight. Here’s why many photographers advise against it:

1. Harsh light creates strong shadows that emphasize wrinkles and skin texture.

2. Bright sunlight can cause discomfort and squinting, leading to unflattering expressions.

3. The high contrast between light and shadow can result in uneven skin tones and strong highlights.

4. The high contrast can also exceed a camera’s dynamic range, causing over- or underexposure.

5. Intense light enhances surrounding colours, often introducing unwanted colour casts, especially from nearby greenery.

Now that we know the challenges, what if we reframed them as opportunities? What if these so-called disadvantages actually worked in our favour? Suddenly, these are conditions that add drama, detail, and rich colour in a unique way.

Hungarian photographer André Kertész once said, “A photographer must be able to photograph anything.” I couldn’t agree more. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to shoot everything. It means you should be capable of creating in any environment. So with that in mind, here’s how I approach portrait photography in harsh sunlight.

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Backlight or Sidelight to Start

The first thing I’ll do is angle my subject so the light source is to their side or behind them. This positioning puts the subject in a more comfortable stance, reducing strain on the eye and minimize any sweating. It’s a simple way to begin the portrait process and establish some rhythm with your subject.

Create Drama with Shadows

As I sidelight or backlight my subject, I’m looking to create drama with the shadows. This is the phrase or mantra that’s running through my head. The harsh light is gonna create strong shadows, and I’m looking at those shadows to deliver drama to the shot.

Cater to the Eyes

When working with your subject, start by looking at their eyes. Are they squinting? Is there sweat on their brow? Do you notice uneven lighting? The eyes give a strong indication of how your model is feeling.