How can I photograph landscapes when shooting toward the sun?
Asked 7/24/2010
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When hiking with my DSLR, I often come across beautiful landscapes with the sun high in the sky or directly in front of me. My photos usually look washed out, low-contrast, and the sky can look pale or featureless. I can improve them somewhat in post-processing, but what techniques can help me get better landscape photos in these conditions straight out of camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
18
I think this is an example of: use the opportunities you have, rather than the ones you wish you had. The situation you describe is tricky, and it'll be difficult to get the kind of grand, well-lit landscape that you seen in magazines. But, as Kyle suggests, perhaps there are different interpretations of the scene that could work. Some specific suggestions (some of which are mentioned in other answers as well):
- Keep the sun off your glass (not just out of the frame): shoot from the shade, use a lens hood, shade the lens with your hand or a hat, etc.
- If you want a blue sky, underexpose or shoot in manual, spot-metering off the sky.
- A polarizer will help.
- Make note of interesting scenes and come back when the light is better.
Good luck!
Originally by user27. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27
16y ago
0
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Shooting landscapes toward a high or front-facing sun is difficult because contrast is extreme and flare can wash out the image. A few techniques can help:
- Keep direct sunlight off the front element: use a lens hood, shoot from shade, or shade the lens with your hand/hat.
- If you want a deeper blue sky, underexpose slightly or use manual exposure and spot meter from the sky.
- Use a polarizer to improve sky contrast and reduce haze.
- A graduated ND filter can help balance a bright sky with a darker foreground.
- HDR can work when the dynamic range is too great, as long as tonemapping is kept natural.
- If you have a close foreground subject, added light such as strobe/fill can help.
That said, filters and technique only go so far. Often the best solution is to note the scene and return when the light is better, especially earlier or later in the day.
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