Almost everyone looks forward to summer for the vacations, barbeques and fun in the sun. Photographers look forward to summer to capture the youth and warmth and professional photographers enjoy the increase in portrait sales and additional locations with varying subjects to build portfolios. Sometimes, when the weather is hot and muggy it may not seem worth it to carry around a camera or camera bag and gear. In reality it is worth it in many ways.

During the summer, the sun is brighter and hotter than during the winter. Portraits taken in full sun are uncomfortable for friends, family or clients. Most will squint to avoid the bright sun and will sweat due to the heat. Neither are wanted in a final photo regardless what stage of photographer you are. One solution is to find some shade such as under a tree or against a building. When photographing portraits, and even most landscapes, the best time is at sunrise or sunset. Photographers refer to this as the golden hour. The light is literally golden and hazy perfect for summer photography. It is also less harsh and cooler than the light from full daytime sun. Try using the sun’s brightness to your advantage by positioning it behind your subject or an object such as a tree or building. Light is an important part of photography and for many more important than what camera you have. There are photos taken on a camera phone that with the right lighting can be passed off as taken with a digital camera. Learn about lighting and how to use it or create it when you need it. With a DSLR the aperture and shutter speed you use with your camera can make a huge difference to your image when faced with harsh lighting. The most common settings that help prevent over or underexposed images are a shutter speed of 1/125th and aperture of f.16. This is known as the sunny 16 rule. It is as close to what we see with our eyes as possible and is a great starting point when shooting outdoors. Adjust according to your location, camera, ISO and the style you are going for. Taking the time to learn about shutter speed and aperture can make the difference between a snapshot and a photograph

Another thing to think about is the power and damage of the sun’s rays. We all know to protect our skin with sunscreen and light clothing, but what about our camera? Regardless of what type of camera you have, it is filled with easily damaged internal parts. Heat and cold are both bad for cameras along with moisture. Several manufacturers make ‘weather sealed’ cameras, but even they can be damaged. Also, rapidly changing temperatures such as going from a cold house to humid outdoors can fog your lens and ruin a shot. Always keep your camera in a camera bag unless you are using it. When you are using it, pay attention so that you don’t drop it in water or bump it carelessly against a hard surface. Use your strap to prevent damage from falls. If you don’t like your camera strap, there are many websites that offer custom straps. Either way it’s much better than dropping your camera! Another consideration is a UV filter for your lens. These serve to protect your camera and sensor and can even help protect your eyes. These filters are affordable and available in many different sizes from various retailers. Just be sure to get good quality glass so that they don’t affect your image quality.

When looking for subjects to photograph, you don’t have to plan an expensive vacation. Kentucky is full of many interesting places and you would be surprised at what you can capture in your own back yard or a local park. Locally you can find almost anything you could imagine to photograph during the summer. Just pretend you’re a tourist for a day and discover all the history and interesting things there are to see and do in our area. Just search online for things to do in KY or on community calendars on the websites of your local TV station or newspaper. There many local festivals and activities during the summer months with events worthy of photographing. You can also take your camera and go outside either in your backyard or a local park. Look around you patiently and you will find something interesting to photograph. There are several species of trees, birds and insects along with clouds and even the family pet! Try purchasing a hummingbird feeder or birdfeeder or hiking in woods looking for flowers, insects, mushrooms or new growth. Even a dandelion can be interesting from a different angle. During the summer there is so much activity and happiness remember to capture it. The best tip of all is to never leave home without your camera. You never know what you might see especially during the summer! 

About the author: Amber Flowers is a photographer, digital artist and writer most known for her infrared photography and the ‘fine art’ feel to her work. She is a member of The League of Creative Infrared Photographers and Founder of Southern Kentucky Photographer’s Club. Amber resides in Glasgow KY with her husband, two children and several pets. You can learn more about her on her website: www.soulgazephotography.com