Using the Sun....

The sun, (when it comes to photography) I am finding can either be your best friend, or as my boys would say..."Your arch nemesis!" I remember hearing that it was best for the subject to face into the sun, sun behind the photographer, and out in the open daylight. Heard that one? Still believe it? Hello! What exactly does that produce? People with no eyes because they are squinting, washed out faces, and usually very over-exposed photos.
Not a flattering picture, right? With winter quickly approaching (which is my arch nemesis) I am sad that I cannot experiment with the sun more. I guess I could, but I am a complete wimp when it comes to temperatures under 60 degrees. And, with Utah winters and their awful inversions, the sun isn't really around all that much. I am looking forward to experimenting more with my studio lighting equipment, but I have to admit I have enjoyed my summer love affair, learning to shoot in natural light. Here are a few of my favorites that I took this summer with a "setting" sun. They both could use some help in photo shop to make them more dramatic. These are pretty much straight out of the camera just to show you the natural effects of the sun.

Here is a great guide on how to shoot in direct sun light. http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-shoot-in-direct-sunlight/ It is worth your time to read it. No matter if you are an avid photographer, or a mom shooting a soccer game, learning to shoot in direct sun light will improve your photos. Learn about light now. I am getting a lot of comments about waiting to use all this info when "I get a better camera". Don't wait to learn these things when you get a better camera. Learn them now, so when you DO get that camera you want, you will already know the basic and most important aspects of photography. LIGHTING! Don't be afraid to shoot into the setting or rising sun! It can create some amazing effects.