As dicussed in the Summer 2010 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker, there is a distinct difference between daylight and sunlight. When we talk about sunlight, we refer to the actual rays that light your subject. For example, I captured our golden retriever, Simon, one wintry day, as he basked in the sun:
Taken with Nikon D70 at f/5.6, 1/2000 sec., ISO 200
Daylight, on the other hand, may be available even in the absence of sunlight. Consider an overcast day - there is often still enough illumination that lights our subject without direct streams of sunlight. It can also found in the shade of a tree on a sunny day, or on a covered porch, such as this photo of my son, Connor – taken on our covered porch, with a white reflector.
Taken with Nikon D70 at f/2, 1/160 sec., ISO 200
There are a few things to remember when shooting in direct sunlight.
1. Avoid strong, direct sunlight, if possible, for portraitures. If it is unavoidable, try to make your own shade by using your body. You could also use your reflector or a piece of posterboard to block the sun. If nothing is available to create shade, position your subject with the sunlight behind them. If you remember from last month’s tutorial on backlighting, your camera will be fooled by the bright background so you will need to increase your exposure to correctly light their face(s).
2. Instead of using your reflector to create shade, you can use it to fill in the shadows. Prop it up so that the sunlight is bouncing onto the dark areas of your photo – you should be able to see this with your naked eye, as you move it around. (here’s a great video on how to use a reflector) You can purchase reflectors in a variety of colours and sizes. You could also use white foam core, a white bedsheet, a silver windshield shade or even just cardboard, covered in tin foil or gold metallic foil, depending on your lighting preferences.
3. Try using a lens hood to avoid flares, if desired.
Sunlight and daylight have both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, they both come in varying degrees of brightness, one is usually available at any outdoor shoot, and it’s free of charge! However, there are also disadvantages – daylight and sunlight are not a constant source of lighting as it changes in both colour and direction, depending onthe time, weather and location.
Are you ready? You’ll need to get outdoors for this assignment!
Your June assignment:
Using the June tutorial as a guide, photograph a subject or object using daylight or sunlight. Remember to use a reflector to fill in any shadows. Go outside and PLAY!! As always, if you have any questions, please leave me a comment on this post, or email me.
Deadline: 11:59 pm EST, June 30th, 2010
Please submit your photo, using our submission form only, for a chance to be entered into our draw to win an awesome prize. A randomly chosen entry will be drawn after the deadline. Please click HERE to review the rules regarding this draw BEFORE submitting. Please note – submissions that are not relative to the tutorial and/or do not abide by these rules will not be posted on the blog, or entered into the draw. PLEASE remember that your photos should be sized to 72dpi, and at least 500 pixels wide. Don’t forget to include your camera settings, including camera used, f/stop, aperture and ISO for your image in the Comments section of the submisson form! Submissions that do not include this info may not be posted on the blog.
This month’s sponsor is Glitz Design – Check out June’s prize pack!
June 2010 Prize Pack - Glitz Designs
Thanks for playing along this month… Happy Clicking!
Sue has been behind a camera for more than 25 years, working professionally as a photographer for the last ten years. While she began the hobby of scrapbooking in 2000, as a complement to her photographer career, it soon grew into a rival passion! Sue loves to enlarge one of her favourite photos and make it the focal point of her page, using her supplies to bring the focus onto her photography. She has, in recent years, turned more to scrapbooking "moments" rather than "events", choosing to leave her children more insight into her point of view of their lives.
Hi Sue
I just wanted to say how beautiful your Golden is. My “Golden” boy Apollo just passed a week and a half ago and what a treat to pop in here and see your boy. Without even knowing it, you’ve made my day.
Thanks:D
I received a light reflector for my birthday last year from my sister-in-law. A certain “pro” from your team has given me tons of advice on how to use it in different situations. I NEEEEEEED to start using it more often.
Beautiful dog and kid…great exposure!
I submitted to this one too.
Great article with useful tips.
Lots of info and tips here. Thanks so much! Can’t wait to try!
love the article
this is wonderful
Wow, there is just so much to learn about photography…I can’t wait to learn it though
Mmmmm so many things to try so little time.
I love the pic of your dog! I have a chocolate lab and she is beautiful! I have quite a few pics of her, and they are so nice!
I think I need to invest in a reflector…thanks for the information.
love the tips for shooting in direct sunlight!
Wonderful information, thanks so much!
Great tips in this post, love them.
Thanks for the informative article. I will be back again and again to your site!!! I LOVE that photo of that beautiful Golden!!!
I love all these tips. It has taught me so much! Thanks!
You really need to put all this info in to a book and sell it through Canadaian Scrapbooker! I would buy it
Loved these pics. Tips which enhance are so awesome to pick up.
Gorgeous pictures and thank you for the tips!
thanks for sharing the great ideas and tips.
So much great info again.
Wish I had a brick wall on my house, love that look!…I’ll have to scour around town to use someone else’s. Is there a difference in the colour of a photo using a white reflector vs. using a silver reflector?
Great photos and super teachings!!!
Great info!
My photos don’t turn out that great
Those are great things to remember, I’d never thought about the difference between daylight and sunlight before.
I think I am going to have to go back to the begining and read all of these fabulous tutorials!
I now know the difference thanks! Oh and cute pup!
Love your tips! Gives me lots to work on every month!
love all the tips! thanks
I wish I had time to each and everyone of your assignments. I took photography in school, however each one of your assignments is so critical to understanding how to use light, how to actually make the most out of your camera and your subject manner. Keep up the great work.
Sandra d.
So much great information on here. Need to make time to try everything!!
this is great info and fun to play with! Thanks
This tutorial I loved when it was first posted. The dog photo takes my breath away every time I see it.
Great tutorial! Loved that picture of your dog!
super tutorial, I love the dog photo!
I so love daylight! Thanks for the great tutorial and blog hop!
I am learning so much here. Thank you so much for sharing.
I love daylight shots…one great thing about an overcast day!
I find daylight is so much easier to deal with then sunlight when I’m taking pictures outside …. give me an overcast day anytime!
Love your tutorials and since they’re on-line it’s easy to access them whenever I need some more tips.
great tutorial….dogs are such fun subjects to photograph!
I often get some great daylight through the back door of my house. Thanks for the tips.
More great info! Thanks!
Great article with beautiful examples Sue!
Nothing better than daylight for a great shot!!!
great info
Beautiful golen! good tutorial.
great tutorial, lots of fun to try
Love the tips on photographing in directsunlight
interesting about sunlight and daylight. will have to try your suggestion for direct sunlight.
More great tips!
Very informative article
oh i love this lesson!!! fantastic
You do a fantastic job with these tutorials!!
Great info! Thanks.
great pics, I will have to re-read the article and try this out!
Beautiful dog great tips
Thanks for sharing these great tips.
I always prefer to shoot outside – even in winter, in the snow – I’ve done pregnancy shoots in the snow, just so I’d have daylight. She was a great sport!!
Fabulous tutorial!!!
Great ideas for “reflectors” that are inexpensive.
Man Connor is getting to be such a big kid! Great tutorial on this. Love using a reflector! It helps a LOT!
I really needed tips for lighting, and these have been most useful! Thanks for the info!
Thank you for this inforamtion….very valuable