Taking Photos While Youre Protecting Your Skin

If you're a shutterbug like me, and you enjoy taking photos outdoors, you will often find yourself in direct sunlight.

Other than protecting yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and by applying sunscreen every two hours, there is one more thing you can do. And it's good for your photos and you--

Take pictures in early morning or late afternoon when the sunlight, including UV light, is less intense.

When the sun intensity peaks around noon, and you shoot some pictures, you're likely to see harsh dark shadows and very bright highlights. These translate into light and dark areas in your photos and an absence of detail.

"The worst possible lighting for people portraits is direct sunlight at high noon," says the editors of Photographic Magazine in Complete Idiot's Guide to Photography Like a Pro.

Besides, if your subject is facing the sun, he or she will undoubtedly be squinting, and the direct sunlight can accentuate wrinkles. On the other hand, if you shoot toward the sun, your subject in your photos may be too dark if you focus on bright areas or too light if you focus on dark areas.

The camera compensates for high contrast between light and dark by underexposing or overexposing the film in an attempt to achieve balance between the light and the dark areas.

But one solution is to use flash-fill or reflective (card) fill to reduce the contrast of your subject's face, as well as to remove unattractive, deep shadows.

Otherwise, take your photos in the morning before 10 a.m. or wait until later in the day after 4 p.m., when sunlight is less intense and you're less likely to get a sunburn and skin damage.

In the early morning and late afternoon, sunlight has to pass through more atmosphere. Consequently, the blue light is scattered, leaving longer wavelengths, such as red and orange, which are not as easily scattered.

When the sun is low in the sky, you'll be able to capture catch lights in your subjects' eyes as they look toward the direction of the sun. There will be more ambient (scattered) light and less contrast between light and dark.

The result will be more facial detail. And take your people portraits from different camera angles and at different times, from early to mid-morning and then from late afternoon until sunset. Experiment.

However, please don't look through your camera at the sun, nor should your model look directly at the sun.

About The Author

Diana Clarke is a teacher, photographer and freelance writer.

http://www.yourskinandsun.com; dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com

---

Are Tanning Beds Worth Your Time

There is no denying that we live in a world... Read More

A Look At Tooth Whiteners

All we see on television in the movies is bright... Read More

Facial Exercises - A New Trend in Non-Surgical Facial Toning

There is a moment in everyone's life, when you notice... Read More

Liposuction Cost: Worth Every Penny

Although the national average cost for liposuction charged by surgeons... Read More

Repelling the Sunshine Killer

A Protective Cover for Your Skin, with Sun BlockUV rays... Read More

Mini Dental Implants in the U.S.

The concept of mini dental implants is a revolutionary method... Read More

Mineral Baths: Smart Bathing Versus Hard Bathing

"There is a power of choice- what we do today... Read More

Winter Skin Care Survival Guide

Skin care survival guide. Cold winter air is far less... Read More

Lanolin for Dummies - Benefits of Lanolin

Lanolin n.Fatty substance obtained from wool. [German : from Latin... Read More

How to Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells

Exfoliating dead skin cells is one of the simplest ways... Read More

Should I Lease A Tanning Bed?

You can lease a tanning bed or beds for your... Read More

Manicure at Home

Required items to perform manicure:Bowl with warm soapy waterscrub lotionpetroleum... Read More

Celtic Tattoos and Their Popularity

The history of the Celtic peoples goes back thousands of... Read More

Sunquest Tanning Bulbs

Sunquest tanning bulbs are a good choice for tanning beds.... Read More

Aromatherapy Skin Care

When there is easy way to do your aromatherapy skin... Read More

Natural Hair - Get Creative With Homemade Recipes

Do you wear your hair natural? No lye? As many... Read More

Rejuvenating Technology for Skin and Body!

... Read More

Human Hair Extensions Create Beautiful Long Hair Styles Instantly

As you glance across virtually every print medium such as... Read More

Sunless Tanning Information & Methods

Tanning products, both sunless and sun, go to work on... Read More

7 Tips for Great Skin At Any Age

1. Cleanse your face twice a day - Did you... Read More

Deep Vein Thrombosis...an In Flight Risk

DVT?an in flight riskby Cathy Gatson Planning to do some... Read More

Hyaluronic Acid Injections Increase Visibility with Supermodel Spokesperson

Hyaluronic acid products are poised to continue their fast growth,... Read More

Do-It-Yourself Manicure

Your hands are as obvious as any part of your... Read More

Skin Care: Organic, Natural or Scientifically Advanced ? Which is Best?

In an age where fear of water impurities has millions... Read More

The Controversy Behind Sunless Tanning Pills

For convenience and ease of use, people may be tempted... Read More

Tooth Whitening, Tooth Treatment: Get that Perfect Smile!

I would say a smile throughout the day keeps doctor... Read More

Detoxification and your skin

Learn to help your body glow from the inside out.... Read More

Create A Home Spa

Here are 10 personal little home spa tips that will... Read More

All About Plastic Surgery

The plastic surgery has become a multi-million dollar one, as... Read More

5 Sunless Tanning Lotion Tips For Summer

If you use sunless tanning products it's probably because your... Read More

Want Healthy Glowing Skin?

Are you struggling with skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis... Read More

Natural Skin Care Products - Why Natural Ingredients Work Best on Skin

Natural skin care products seem to be on the rise... Read More

8 Spray Tanning Tips

With the recent surge in the popularity of tanning, many... Read More