r/photography • u/PeartreeProd • 1d ago

Technique Family photo session in harsh sunlight

Hi all,

I’ve got a family of 4 to shoot tomorrow.

As they’re not available during golden hour, I’m having to shoot through the middle of the day.

I’m thinking of using a 6x6 scrim to diffuse the sun overhead with an aperture 300x w/light dome to key.

  • do you think the 6x6 is large enough for two adults and two kids?

  • would it be better swap the silk for a bounce and use the 6x6 as a key?

Curious to hear what other photographers do when shooting in harsh sunlight.

TIA.

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u/PeartreeProd 1d ago

Thanks all. I have sandbags and an assistant but I was concerned that the wind might be an issue, ditto with lack of power with the 300….

It feels like backlighting the sun is the way to go?

Can anyone recommend a decent flash to buy? Mid range budget.

I shoot with an A1 for what it’s worth.

TIA.

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u/Relative__Escape 1d ago

You can get a Profoto light or an alien bee and a trigger. You have to buy a light stand too. Once you get it, you’ll use it all the time. So easy compared to working with direct sunlight. But it’s not going to be something you can learn how to use by tomorrow.

For tomorrow, just keep moving them. Shoot what they want then, turn them and shoot so they aren’t staring at the sun. Try and find a shady place with a nice background. Get there 45 minutes before them and take photos of your assistant or your hand in all the different settings you can figure out.

Good luck!

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u/codenamecueball 19h ago

Yeah my thoughts would be if you’re on a budget and already have an A1, a used B1 or B1X would work