The Victoria Day long weekend is the kickoff to the fifteen weeks of Canadian summer, long days of camping, hiking, boating, playing ball, and enjoying the sun and warmth. This is the time of year Canadians wait for, the time of year when we drag out the tents and canoes, snorkels and ball gloves so we can make the most of the glorious sun.
For anyone who has been stuck making the most of a low light situation, the brilliant summer sun seems like paradise. The strong light can create its own issues, however, ones that can be tricky to solve.
Play with your ISO settings
In the heydays of film cameras, we purchased film based on its ISO rating. ISO ratings were a measure of the film’s sensitivity to light. A higher number meant the film was more sensitive, requiring less light for a proper exposure. Today, digital cameras use the same scale to measure the sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO numbers need less light for a proper exposure, although they tend to give a grainier, less crisp photo.
The summer gives lots of room to play with ISO settings. For crisp, spectacular shots, an ISO setting of 100 will provide spectacular detail. Action shots, however, often require very fast shutter speeds, which let in less light. Choosing a higher ISO number—1600 or above—will allow you to speed up your shutter to freeze the action. What you may lose in crisp details, you will gain in dynamic, active drama.
Sunny 16
Although light is a photographer’s friend, the sun creates strong contrasts between light and dark. Our eyes adjust automatically to the variations of brightness, but the camera sensor does not always choose the right settings for a proper exposure. Sunny 16 is a photographer’s rule of thumb for shooting in the sun. The first time you do this, have your camera’s instruction manual on hand—it will help you to navigate the menu.
- Choose ‘Manual’ from your Mode dial.
- Set your aperture to f16.
- Choose your ISO setting. For still shots, ISO 100 will provide gorgeous detail. For action shots, try an ISO of 1600 or 3200; these high numbers will add some noise to your photo, but you will be able to freeze the action.
- Choose shutter speed. Your shutter speed will be the inverse of your ISO setting. If your ISO is 100, your shutter speed will be 1/100 or 1/150. If your ISO is 3200, your shutter speed will be 1/3200.
Try out this basic formula on your camera—it should provide the perfect recipe for properly exposed sunny day shots.
Too much of a good thing?
The light of a bright summer day can present another issue: flare and glare. The strong summer sun bounces off everything, from ripples in the water to particles in the air to the surface of the lens. Our eyes don’t necessarily detect this refracted light, but cameras are very sensitive. Refracted light shows up as haze, flare, or glare, ruining an otherwise good shot.
Perhaps the easiest fix is a polarizing lens filter, which blocks out the errant light. Polarizing lenses are most effective when the sun is 90° from your position, so keep that in mind as you set up your shot. Lens filters have the added bonus of protecting the surface of your lens from scratches, dust, and sand.
A lens hood is also a useful tool, especially when you are using a long focus lens. Lens hoods prevent glare and the lens flare that occurs when angled light hits the lens surface.
Note: if you are using the Sunny 16 method with a polarizing filter and your shots are under-exposed, you may need to open your aperture a little wider, perhaps to f11. The ISO and shutter speed settings remain the same as the Sunny 16 method.
Flash as fill light
The temptation on a gorgeous sunny day is to turn off the flash and let the sun do the work of illumination. Relying solely on the sun can be problematic, however; the sun emits powerful light from one direction, which creates sharp contrast and sometimes unflattering shadows. Using a flash on a bright day can fill in the shadowed area, giving a more even light profile. Opt for an external flash that fits on your hot shoe—these flashes emit a wider, softer light that will illuminate without eradicating detail.
Balance your needs
Light aside, the biggest issue that photographers face on sunny days is practicality. Camera equipment can be unwieldy, so you don’t want to bring equipment that you will not need; conversely, if you are looking for a specific shot or effect, a convenient compact may not give you the creative latitude you need
Your Story of Summer Whether you spend the next few months in a canoe, on the ball field, or in your garden, you will want to tell your summer story in gorgeous colour. London Drugs photobooks are versatile, easy to make, and perfect to display your photo stories. From convenient, inexpensive softcover books to spectacular coffee table keepsakes, you will find the perfect medium to share your summer with your friends and loved ones.
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