Summer is in full swing and the warm days tempt us outside with our cameras. But the bright sunlight and high temperatures pose particular challenges for us photographers. In this article, we share the best tips on how to take stunning photos despite (or perhaps because of) the summer heat.
Table of contents
Why is photography a particular challenge in summer?
How can you make the most of the golden hour?
Which settings help with overexposed summer photos?
How can you capture water and reflections in summer?
Which color combinations look particularly appealing in summer photos?
What should you pay attention to in the midday sun?
How can you integrate movement into summer photos?
Summary
Why is photography in summer a particular challenge?
Summer spoils us with bright blue skies and rich colors - actually perfect conditions for photography, right? Not quite! The intense summer sun can quickly lead to overexposed images. The bright light creates extreme contrasts between light and shadow, which can push your camera to its limits.
If you want to take photos in summer, you have to be prepared for these special lighting conditions. But don't worry - these challenges also offer incredible opportunities for unique shots! Nature shows its most magnificent side, and with the right tricks you can perfectly capture this blaze of color.
It's particularly tricky when photographing people. The bright lighting conditions often make your models squint (squint their eyes) or cast unflattering shadows on their faces. A good eye for the interplay of light and shadow is therefore particularly important when photographing in summer.
How can you make the most of the golden hour?
The golden hour is the absolute insider tip for fantastic summer photos! This magical time window shortly after sunrise or before sunset gives you a soft, warm light that bathes every photo in a special atmosphere.
To make the most of the golden hour, it's best to plan your photo session in advance. Check the exact sunrise and sunset times for your location and be there at least 30 minutes in advance. This will give you enough time to set up your equipment and try out different perspectives.
The warm, golden light at this time of day gives landscapes a dreamlike glow and makes portraits look particularly flattering. The longer shadows also give your pictures more depth and dimension. Use this time to take backlit shots - this is often where the most romantic and atmospheric photos of the summer are taken!
Which settings help with overexposed summer photos?
On super bright summer days, your camera can quickly be overwhelmed. However, you can avoid overexposed summer photos by using a few tricks with your camera settings:
Choose a higher f-number (f/8 to f/16) to reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor. A closed aperture also ensures a greater depth of field - perfect for expansive landscape shots.
Play with the shutter speed! In intense sunlight, you can easily work with fast shutter speeds (1/500 or faster), which also minimizes motion blur. With backlighting, it often helps to concentrate the exposure metering on a central point or to adjust the exposure manually.
A tip that I always follow when photographing in summer: if possible, position yourself with your back to the sun. This way you avoid problematic backlighting and your subjects are evenly lit. If this is not possible, a reflector or flash can work wonders as a fill light to compensate for harsh shadows.
How can you capture water and reflections in summer?
Water is an absolutely rewarding photo subject in summer! Especially on windless days, you can capture beautiful reflections on the surface of the water. Lakes, rivers or even puddles after a summer rain offer you countless creative possibilities.
Our insider tip: invest in a polarizing filter! It's the ultimate tool for gaining control over reflections when photographing bodies of water. Depending on how you rotate the filter, you can intensify or attenuate reflections and make the summer colors appear more intense.
Experiment with different perspectives - sometimes it's the unusual angles that make a photo special. Crouch down to take photos directly above the surface of the water or find an elevated position for spectacular overview shots. And don't forget, there are also some great underwater motifs in summer - a waterproof housing can open up a whole new photographic world!
Which color combinations are particularly appealing for summer photos?
Summer is the most colorful season of the year and offers a wealth of great photo opportunities. To really bring out the vibrancy in your summer photos, pay attention to color contrasts!
Combinations of complementary colors are particularly effective: The rich blue of the summer sky pairs perfectly with the warm orange of the evening sun. Or how about the fresh green of a summer meadow against a reddish sunset? These natural contrasts will make your photos really shine!
Shades of azure and emerald that dominate in summer - like the turquoise of a mountain lake or the lush green of vegetation - convey freshness and vibrancy. Combine them with small colorful accents such as a red flower or a yellow boat for a harmonious but exciting picture. These color contrasts not only make your summer photos more appealing, but also more emotionally effective!
What should you bear in mind with the midday sun?
The harsh midday sun is the natural enemy of every photographer! At midday, the shadows are short and harsh, which can be particularly challenging when taking photos in summer - unflattering shadows often appear under the eyes, nose and chin, especially in portraits.
If possible, avoid taking photos between 11 am and 3 pm. If you do have to go out at this time, look for semi-shaded areas, such as under trees, where the light is naturally filtered. A white reflector can work wonders to lighten harsh shadows and create more even lighting conditions.
For portrait photography in the midday sun, a diffuser helps to diffuse and soften the light. Or position your models completely in the shade and expose the shadow areas. Incidentally, the midday sun can definitely have advantages for landscape photography - the intense colors and clear contrasts are perfect for dramatic scenes!
How can you integrate movement into summer photos?
Summer is full of vibrancy and activity - and that's exactly what your photos should reflect! Integrating movement into your summer photos makes them more dynamic and authentic.
In photography, there are two main approaches to depicting movement: you can either freeze it or deliberately blur it. For the former, you need a fast shutter speed (1/500th of a second or faster), perfect for water droplets when jumping into the pool or the perfect moment of beach volleyball.
For creative motion blur, experiment with slower shutter speeds. A flowing stream or fluttering summer clothes in the wind are given a picturesque, almost dreamlike effect with a slight blur. Particularly cool: If you accompany a moving subject with the camera pan (panning), it remains sharp while the background blurs and thus suggests speed.
Don't forget that even small movements such as blowing hair or a jumping child can breathe life into your summer photos. Encourage your models to move naturally instead of posing stiffly - this will create authentic moments full of summer feeling!
Summary: The most important tips for your summer photography
- Make conscious use of the special summer light - avoid midday, celebrate the golden hour!
- Adapt your camera settings to the bright light - a higher aperture and faster shutter speed will help.
- Use a polarizing filter to optimize water reflections.
- Work with the vibrant colors of summer - play with contrasts!
- Capture movement to capture the dynamics of summer.
- Experiment with different times of day to experience different lighting moods.
Now you're all set for your next photo tour on hot summer days! Do you have any other tips for summer photography? Feel free to share them in the comments - I look forward to your input!
