Finding & Using Open Shade Outdoors

Candid available-light photographers spend their lives hunting for 'Open Shade'—outdoor areas bathed in high ambient light but shaded from direct, harsh sunlight.

Direct midday sunlight is the enemy of portraiture: it causes deep dark eye sockets, harsh facial shadows, and forced squints. Stepping just three meters out of direct sun into the shadow of a tree line, building wall, or canopy instantly transforms harsh light into soft, flattering illumination.

Lighting the Face & Creating Catchlights

Always inspect your subject's face before clicking the shutter. You are looking for even illumination with no harsh 'hot spots' on the forehead or nose.

Catchlights—the tiny specks of reflected light inside the eyes—are what make close-up portraits feel lively and engaged. The simplest rule for securing catchlights: Position your child facing toward the largest open source of sky, while keeping your own back to that light source. If your child faces toward a dark wall or dense trees, their eyes will look dark and lifeless.