Comments on: Sometimes Harsh, Direct Sunlight Can Be Beautiful

By: Jon Dize aka DIZEMAN

Jon Dize aka DIZEMAN — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:52:00 +0000

I wish more shooters would discuss the permitting required for such locations.

By: Donnie Bell Design

Donnie Bell Design — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:50:19 +0000

Very unique opportunity to use the environment as a softbox, but you still have to respect that the photoshoot was done and arranged around harsh lighting on location, not a studio.

By: Jdear

Jdear — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 01:50:25 +0000

definetly not midday, the extra dynamic range of the hassy helps pull those highlights in too.

By: josh

josh — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:48:50 +0000

The location is Coyote Lake. It’s between Daggett and Fort Irwin, CA just north of Barstow on I-15. I was stationed there for 2 years and know the area well. I looks as though they did the shoot just north of the early man dig site on the south end of the lakebed not too far off of the highway. The pictures were shot facing north… the mountain range in the background is the south end of NASA’s Goldstone Deep Space Network Facility.

By: carlos yepez

carlos yepez — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:35:51 +0000

I used to be scared to shoot in hard sunlight until I shot one last year. If I could shoot in hard sunlight for most of my shoots, I would be happier than shooting with artificial lights or shooting in the shade. The challenge is having the sun positioned where you want. Having nice blue skies and beautiful clouds are a huge bonus. Naturally, your background is also important, so it’s not easy to pull off. This shoot was amazing.

By: Post Production Pye

Post Production Pye — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:43:13 +0000

I agree, harsh sunlight can create great effects and is totally workable. However, there are no shadows on her face, like in the eyes, under the nose, etc.

This means that either the ground (which look like the great salt lake salt flats) was acting as a giant soft-box filling light back in her face, or they were shooting while the sun was maybe not on the horizon, but still very directional in the sky. So, it wasn’t noon day nastiness.

So, I probably wouldn’t say this was super “harsh” light, it actually looks quite good. Still though, great shoot and awesome shots.

By: khappucino

khappucino — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:24:16 +0000

cool video,
this reminds me of Hunt’s Scapegoat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scapegoat_(painting)

By: tash baycroft

tash baycroft — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:34:13 +0000

I think what really makes these photos work so well is the muted palette… all about art direction. Granted the model, the wardrobe, the composition and post work all help it come to life, I really think that’s what makes these pics so awesome.

And as someone else said, the sun is pretty freaking low on the horizon here, so you’re not getting the big ugly deep eye sockets.

By: dhani borges

dhani borges — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:31:43 +0000

The fact that the ground is a giant fill makes the lighting just perfect

By: Ghislain Leduc

Ghislain Leduc — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:15:45 +0000

Man I need to find some cool location like this… but around Montreal… not that easy! :) :) :)