Never in the right place at the right time? A Post on Poor Lighting

I take a lot of my best photographs when i’m travelling and this inevitable ends up being at the worst times of day, ie the middle and midday sun is the worst. While it might be perfect for lounging at the beach, it can be the absolute worst time to head out with the camera. Harsh shadows, blown-out highlights, and a color palette that screams “I’m too bright!” can leave you feeling a bit defeated

1. Know Your Enemy: Understanding Midday Light

The first step in conquering poor lighting is to understand what you’re dealing with. The sun is at its highest point during midday, casting harsh, direct light that creates deep shadows and overly bright spots. This can wash out colors and create unflattering contrasts. But don’t let that discourage you! Instead, think of it as a challenge—a creative opportunity to think outside the box.

Looking towards the Roman Forum from the Colosseum:

I remember this day and attempting to capture this scene from the outside, with the Arco di Costantino in frame and the shot didn’t work. The sun was coming towards the camera from the left hand side and overpowering the image. The archway here contains the suns glare and allowed me to pick out the scene, it’s not perfect but you’ve got to work with the weather that’s available to you.

2. Embrace Shadows: Play with Contrast

Just because the light is harsh doesn’t mean you have to shy away from it! Embrace those shadows and use them to your advantage. Look for interesting patterns and textures that emerge in low-light areas. Silhouettes against bright backgrounds can create striking images, while harsh lines can add drama to your shots. Don't be afraid to experiment; some of the best photographs are born from unconventional ideas!

London - Somewhere

Another great example of bad photography, this image is nothing special but the change in shadows across the scene are really interesting.

3. Experiment with Filters: Your New Best Friend

The sky’s overcast and somewhat uninteresting, making for a rather dull backdrop. Is the sky looking particularly washed out? If you’ve got a filter handy, now’s the perfect opportunity to whip it out! Polarizing filters can significantly help reduce glare and enhance colors, allowing your images to pop and vibrate with energy even in harsh lighting conditions. Additionally, ND (Neutral Density) filters are also fantastic for giving you the flexibility to use wider apertures or longer exposures, ultimately providing you with more creative control over your shots and enabling you to experiment with different artistic effects.

Crowns Engine - Botallack Mine

This shot is a prime example of getting somewhere at the wrong time of day, with the wrong conditions but still trying to take something away from the location.

I’ve use a ND filter here to add some interest to the waves, if I’d change anything with this shot it would be to go for any even longer shutter speed to add some movement into the clouds.

4. Post-Processing Magic: Your Secret Weapon

Let’s be honest: the magic often happens in post-processing. Don’t hesitate to bring your images into editing software to fix exposure issues, adjust contrast, and enhance colors. Even minor tweaks can transform a lackluster shot into a stunning masterpiece. Remember, a good photographer is also a good editor!

The weather in the image below wasn’t bad for landscape photography but it wasn’t the best for this shot, my original edit looked bland and uninteresting. I decided to have a go here at making a faux Aerochrome by editing the greens into vibrants pinks. I’m really happy with how this shot turned out and added some real interest into a fairly boring shot of the abandoned slate mine.

Dinorwig Slate Quarry - Snowdonia 

5. Have Fun with It!

Most importantly, remember to have fun! Photography is about creativity and exploration. Don’t be afraid to take the shot and experiment. Embrace the imperfections that come with shooting in challenging conditions; they often lead to unique and memorable images.

So, the next time you find yourself with your camera in the blazing midday sun or a horribly overcast day, don’t pack it away in frustration. Instead, grab that opportunity to push your creative boundaries. After all, bad photography is just a stepping stone to something wonderfully unexpected!

Happy shooting!