The Newbie Chronicles: Photography Tip of the Month

Remember the Newbie Chronicles I did a while back about being a new photographer with a camera and all of the things I was learning? I’ve decided to bring this series back. It was a weekly post, but I’ve decided to change it to a monthly post. Basically, a monthly post with photography tips I wish someone had told me about when I first started out.

Why?

First, because I really really love photography and think everyone should know how to take a good basic photo.  Next, because it just gives me an excuse to talk about what I’m learning( even after a year with this camera) everyday. It kind of reinforces, in my mind at least, things that I’ve been learning.  And I firmly believe in passing on info that I learn. Especially when it comes to photography.

So anyway, this month I wanted to talk about taking photos in midday sun.

When I first started taking photos, and was really getting into taking photography seriously, I was obsessed with when I could take photos. Sunrise and near sunset( the golden hours) was really the only time I  allowed myself to take photos outside.  I was afraid of photos in midday sun.  I was afraid of this:

Squinting eyes, harsh light….blah blah blah.

Buuut. I was going over the notes from Shooting 201, a class that  I took over at Clickin Moms and the instructor( the awesome Lynne Rigby ) had a whole lesson on shooting in full sun.

SMH.

Now I took this class in February.

FEBRUARY.

Which just goes to show that you that with photography, you should never really stop learning.

I decided to try it out and came up with this.

In the middle of the day.  With the sun blazing!  No clouds!

But in the shade of my garage. 🙂

You see, Pookah was facing the sun, but he wasn’t IN it.

I’ve always struggled to get “Catch lights” , those little lights in the eyes that give them light. But with Pookah in the shade of the garage, facing the sun, I got them.

Now this photo is by no means perfect, but I posted it to show that you can get great photos in the middle of the day with a little creativity and thought.

Photography always gives me something new to learn. Everyday.

Now go out and shoot!

Note: these photos were shot with my Canon Rebel T3 and my Canon 50mm 1.4 Lens.