Overhead Sunlight - Enemy of The Momtographer

Remember our article about Cloudy Days - how they're a Momtographer's best friend?  Well, yesterday's school Easter Egg Hunt was a quick refresher in how sometimes you just can't escape circumstance.

I arrived at school at 12:20, to make sure that I would be there in time to catch the little bunnies hop out of their classroom towards the egg hunt.  I even brought the Spydercube that I'm testing out to help calibrate my photos. But before I saw the first sign of my bunny - I knew the photos would be less than wonderful.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining directly overhead.

In case you haven't experienced this yet - or made the connection - bright overhead sunlight is THE MOST CHALLENGING kind of light in which to photograph your child.  The brights are REALLY BRIGHT and the darks are REALLY DARK, creating contrast and shadows that are hard for your camera to properly interpret.  Plus, there's the whole squinty eyes thing.

 

Every once in a while I got lucky with the shade of a tree or the shadow of another person.  But these memories are for remembering just how cute and excited 2, 3 and 4-year-olds can be at the prospect of treasure hunting!

So next time your pictures are less than thrilling at high-noon, give yourself a break.  There's only so much we can control. And of course, when it's all said and done, mommy can always capture the after party by the trusty old window light.

If you love chocolate and you know it, clap your hands......

Last modified on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 17:22

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