Why Use a Sun Shade on an Outdoor Camera?
Taking photos outdoors on a clear or even a cloudy day provides plenty of light. But there is such a thing as "too much light" in a photograph. Sunlight is very direct and will cast hard, unflattering shadows.
Move your subject into the shade, where the light is softer -- a shady area near direct sunlight. The other option is to use a photography sun shade or a scrim positioned to diffuse and soften the light.
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Equipment
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Sun shades can soften or scatter light to eliminate harsh shadows and create a better photograph.
Sun shades are versatile because you can choose different sizes to suit your needs. Most sun shades are lightweight and portable, basically just fabric (cotton or gauze) wrapped around or attached to a frame.
Handheld and stand-mounted sun shades and scrims are affordable and easy to use. A large sun shade or scrim measures about 6.5 feet square and costs about $375.
Using the sun shade
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You can use the sun shade like a roof directly over your subject to deflect the light. Look through your camera lens to check for shadows and adjust the location as needed.
Place the sun shade to the side or behind the subject tilted at a 45-degree angle.
Because a sun shade is lightweight, you can have someone help you hold it over the subject. You can also invest in lightweight light stands. An inexpensive stand will cost about $35 to $100.
Buy two small brackets that fit on top of the light stands to hold and tilt the frame.
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Using a flash
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Though using a flash in daylight is not essential, you might still need to use one with a sun shade if you are shooting late in the day. Using a flash helps to eliminate any shadows the sun shade might cast on a subject.
Combining the use of a flash with sunlight is referred to as "fill flash."
If you have time, try several shots with and without a flash.
Effects
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The quality of light is the important factor that can transform a good picture into a great picture.
Sunlight can illuminate a subject from different angles depending on the camera's position. Each move makes a subtle change to the intensity and placement of shadows in the photo.
Because the sun is almost always higher than the subject, elevating the flash can help make pictures look more realistic. If you want to create a sinister and unnatural look, put the light flash below the subject.
Take various shots to find the effect you're looking for in your photo.
Other options
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Umbrellas, just like rain umbrellas, come in different sizes, and are lightweight and portable. Photographers use umbrellas to reflect light directly onto a subject. A small photo studio umbrella costs about $15 to $30 depending on the quality.
Softboxes are designed to diffuse light and might look like tents. These are usually bulky and more difficult to transport. Softboxes usually cost at least $100 and up, depending on quality and size.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit morguefile.com
