You're at home and it's a beautiful day out. You stare out at the bright sunny sky without a cloud to be seen. Sighing, you turn to your computer and log on to Facebook. Why bother going out to photograph on a day like this?
Well, I ask, why don't you? If you'd rather be photographing, why don't you go?
But Heidi, you say, it's just too sunny out! The light is too harsh, washing out colors. The shadows too dense. Highlights will glare into your lens. It's a lousy day for photography.
Why not use that to your advantage? Any opportunity to play with your camera gives you the opportunity to practice, practice, practice.
The light is too harsh and washes out the colors, you say. Why not look for images to convert to black and white later? Or find shady areas and focus in on the smaller things in life?
The shadows are too dense, you complain. Again, get into the shadows, adjust your exposure for the darkness and photograph close-ups or portraits. Or look specifically for graphic designs created by the harsh shadows.
Oh the highlights, you fret. Have you ever heard of a polarizing filter? The above image was photographed with a polarizing filter to bring down the highlights and the sun at my back. Or point your lens into the sun for interesting backlight on your subject.
Most people enjoy a beautiful sunny day, except photographers who end up pouting because the light isn't "right". I say, make it right - play with it. See what the light does and the shadows and the colors. You may not end up with anything frame-worthy . . . yet. But anytime to play with your camera should be a lesson and a pleasure.
So get out there and use that camera!
