Conquering Midday Light

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Direct sunlight light is known for really bright highlights, really dark shadows, and it is not flattering for portraits. Join Lindsay Adler, fashion and portrait photographer, in Central Park at high noon where she teaches you how to take control of midday light. You’ll learn how to use diffusers to even out the light, how to use reflectors to fill in the light, and how to take advantage of a variety of other tools and techniques to conquer midday light.

Introduction (08:56) Lindsay introduces the concepts covered in this class and discusses her go-to gear.
Get in the Shade (10:00) The first strategy for conquering midday light is to look for available shade and get your subjects into it.
Not All Shade is Created Equally (09:49) Full shade is great, but dappled shade presents real challenges. This is where having a diffuser to create even shade can save the day.
Look for Natural Reflectors (06:48) Your environment may provide natural reflectors in the form of a white wall, an expanse of concrete, or some other neutral colored subject getting hit with direct sunlight.
Pose the Subject to Work with the Harsh Light (12:15) Another strategy is to try to work with the light by posing your subject in ways that can take advantage of the high contrast situation.
Create Your Own Shade (06:14) Sometimes something as simple as a piece of foam core can create just the right amount of shade to get the shot.
Use a Large Diffuser (07:56) There are a few solutions out there for large diffusion materials, from giant shoot-through parabolic umbrellas to a variety of scrims that range in size and light cutting amount.

Course Time: 01 Hours 01 Minutes

B. Desimone

Jun 18 2013

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING COURSE!! I have now watched it all the way through like 4 times. I learn something new every time. Thanks to everyone involved!!
J. Orth

Jun 12 2013

This course offers so much great information, with perfect examples that can be put to use immediately! Excellent training.
D. Lea

May 31 2013

Excellent course! Easy to understand and soooo useful. I like that you don't need a lot of expensive equipment to do this. This class would be a great deal of help to anyone who must photograph in direct sunlight. Thanks so much!
J. Gentile

May 28 2013

I Loved this course. It addressed real issues that I deal with each day when I photograph graduating seniors.
D. Henley

May 17 2013

Awesome course, loved the instructor. She explained what she was doing, and why and showed examples of what not to do with lighting. Helped me so much. Watched it twice, sure I will be watching it again.
L. Correa

May 10 2013

Thank you. A lot to learn. Will have to come back to it to really absorb all the info Great tutorial!
T. Steitle

May 10 2013

Outstanding class. Great results with simple techniques.
A. Bell

May 2 2013

This was FANTASTIC!! So much good information and new ideas to work with for those tough mid day shoots! I feel SO much more confident after watching this and working with clients during harsh lighting situations! Thanks!!
M. Albright

Apr 30 2013

This course was just what I was looking for. Simple, easy to follow explanations for dealing with various issues when shooting mid day. I took away several useful tips!!
E. Williams

Apr 25 2013

Bravo! excellent tutorial, thank you!
C. Duke

Apr 21 2013

This course was great and included many helpful approaches to handling harsh sunlight.
A.

Apr 19 2013

I used these suggestions and did a shoot in bright midday sun. The images came out beautiful. Thank you for such useful and easy suggestions. I no longer fear the sunny day portrait.
B. Wallendorf

Apr 11 2013

Lindsay, Great job. Lots of great tips and advice. Learned a lot about shooting in mid-day sun. Great, Thanks
J. Camacho

Mar 29 2013

What an excellent class! I like how she takes what may appear to be a tough lighting situation, and shows you how to work the light with some inexpensive solutions. I'm definitely looking forward to going out and testing these out for myself.
.

Mar 17 2013

This class is really, really helpful. Thanks for all the excellent examples of using reflectors and techniques for both full sun and shade. Info about lenses is also great!
A. Lawrence

Mar 12 2013

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. Among the best courses yet. I'd be interested in seeing how Lindsey would use a fill flash at mid day too. Thank you Lindsey, please provide more.
R. Valentine

Mar 12 2013

This was my first experience with Kelby Training and I am very impressed! Great stuff!
R. Brock

Feb 24 2013

LIndsey did a great job in this video of telling how to get the best shots in midday sun. This has been the best video I've watched so far.
J. Jacobs

Feb 5 2013

This was very helpful! Really excellent. Thank You
K. Long

Jan 27 2013

Excellent--very practical tips, especially for those of us without a lot of equipment. It's very helpful to know how to use the environment to your advantage. It kept my attention--I watched every bit of it, and didn't fast forward through anything!
B. Fiser

Jan 27 2013

Love this class, Lindsay clearly explained how to work with bright sun light. I had a basic knowledge but now I feel like I have a complete understanding of dealing with bright midday light. Thank you Lindsay for your comprehensive explanation in this class.
S. Levin

Jan 21 2013

Great class. Lindsay is high energy. She brings up many simple and practical solutions to problems that most photographers encounter shooting in harsh, midday sun. Logical solutions with good, clear demonstrations. Highly recommended.
T. Redmon

Jan 17 2013

I liked that she kept things moving. Sometimes videos can get very long. I also liked that she actually shot contrasting photos. This allowed me to she the differences she was speaking about. I learned some great tips for my next midday shoot. Terri
K. Koh

Jan 9 2013

Like the way Lindsay conducted this course. It's crisp and clear. She shown the sample shots instantaneously throughout her presentation, highlighting the differences, this make it easier to be understood. Also, she walked around, moved the crews around and advised the models on various poses and positions to illustrate her reasons. Lastly, her pace and tone of voice are just right.
G. Houck

Jan 8 2013

i just love Lindsay Adler and her course A Super +++++++++++++++++ learned a lot thank you
A. Waldrop

Jan 1 2013

I frequently have to shoot small group photos in exactly this type of situation and even though I was familiar with every device (reflectors, diffusers, etc.) Ms. Adler helped me to see all these devices used effectively. The photos of the model she took with and without each device really brought home and showed the pros and cons and what to look out for in each situation. It is essential but often overlooked in these courses the importance of bringing the price and efficiency of the devices to light. Ms. Adler emphasized the life cycle costs of the equipment she used and also brought less expensive alternative devices into the equation. I am sure that her discussion of price and benefit of the light modifiers she recommended and uses (convenience, her experiences with each, and expected results) is as extremely important to others as it was to me. This midday sunlight situation covered by this course is so common it is mentioned everywhere in any course about shooting outdoor location portraiture but I have never seen it covered so efficiently, succinctly with exactly the right amount of detail. Well done!
J. Urban

Dec 28 2012

Greatest training ever on the proper use of reflectors and diffusers. It also taught me (and confirmed to me) it is well worth the $40 dollars or so to hire a couple assistants on a shoot. Proper use of assistants can bring more income than they cost. Most pro photographers are shortsighted in regards to the use of assistants.
S. Shuler

Dec 28 2012

This was an outstanding course! Lindsay is fantastic I learned a great deal. Although I don't shoot much portraits the insight here was invaluable. I am looking for one of those big reflectors next. Thank You Lindsay.
A. Rodriguez

Dec 27 2012

Great!
G. Hill

Dec 23 2012

Terrific instructor!
P. Bach

Dec 21 2012

Very nice course. Great photography showing examples. Straightforward and Direct.
D. Warren

Dec 15 2012

This was a great instructional class and it will allow me to handle that "sunny day" problem that I get here in El Paso, Tx.
L. McLean

Dec 15 2012

I have watched this course half a dozen times now and love it every time. Lindsay is a fantastic instructor and this is by far one of the best courses I have seen on KelbyTraining.
R. Cannady

Dec 13 2012

Lindsay isn't only a pro photographer, she's a pro instructor as well. Her presentation style is not only informative, it's engaging from start to finish. So far, she's my favorite Kelby instructor, hands down! More Lindsay please!
D. Lay

Dec 8 2012

She keeps it short and sweet. This is what I need to know with out all the teckie babble. Hope to see more of her.
T. Hindes

Dec 7 2012

One of the best Kelby Classes to date! Very practical and real world. For those of us who are small shops the cost is realistic and the staffing is too.
S. Liberto

Dec 4 2012

Simple and easy to understand! I learned alot!
A. Johnstone

Dec 2 2012

Excellent tips and Lindsay makes it so easy to understand! Thank you.
D. Babcock

Dec 2 2012

Awesome class - many thanks!!!!
G. Kaimal

Dec 2 2012

Excellent !! loved, it, All i can say is more please !
K. Wong

Dec 1 2012

I just signed up for Kelbytraining and Lindsay's course was the first one I watched. All I have to say is wow! I learned more in this one course than I have while spending hours reading books and web pages. She is an excellent instructor, breaking down the shoot into easy to remember "formulas". Being an amateur, I won't be using the knowledge gained on any paid shoots, but my kid shots should turn out much nicer now. Great job!
R. Perez

Nov 30 2012

Excellent tutorial. A lot of good ideas. Funny thing is I grew up in NYC, and have played on the boulder featured in the tutorial.
S. Mendoza Hochmann

Nov 25 2012

Great job by Lindsey. She made sure that we didn't forget certain tips that she was giving by quickly repeating some of them very matter-of-factly in later sections. Superb tutorial. Thank you!
K.

Nov 25 2012

Great tips by Lindsay on lenses and much more. I attended some of her classes before, and I'm always impress by her teaching style.
R. Deviney

Nov 23 2012

one of the best instructors you have! very effective delivery of info. WOW!
S. Crocker

Nov 22 2012

Lots of info presented in a fluid-manner. Straight to the point.
C. Ellis

Nov 21 2012

Great! I hope to see more from Lindsay. She gives very practical advice in this video. I like her instruction style... a little fast paced but not too much. Maybe a little more info on camera settings she uses.
J. Rivera

Nov 20 2012

Great course. I liked how she would summarize all the points and how she showed before and after shots. Very well done!
M. Cook

Nov 19 2012

Excellent class Lindsay. Great emphasis on the use of light modifiers to create soft light in direct sun without the need for a speedlight.
E. Clarke

Nov 18 2012

I love Lindsay's classes, she gives such great information packed into her classes. I love that I can review her classes and continue to pick up points. I feel like I am getting heaps of info condensed into one session, she gives simple clear instructions with heaps of do's and don't s. I have tried many of them out and they work. Thanks Lindsay.
G. Courtney

Nov 16 2012

Lindsay Adler is perhaps one of the finest instructors both in person and in training videos. She thoroughly explain the whole process, not only the expressed topic, but everything that's involved in creating an all-around outstanding image.
D. Toman

Nov 16 2012

I must admit I was a touch skeptical about Lindsay's credentials given her young age, but I'll also admit those reservations were misplaced. She is not only an imaginative and accomplished photographer, but a top instructor that articulates her ideas very well. Well done to KT for getting Lindsay on board, and thanks to her for generously sharing.
T. Maliga

Nov 10 2012

This was absolutely an amazing course. You really made controlling light very easy to understand and gave great tips and tricks for controlling light with affordable equipment. Thank you so much.
D. Harrelson

Nov 10 2012

This course was excellent! I found the instructor engaging and informative. I really liked the tempo of her delivery and the examples really drove the point home. I learned so much from this course and this instructor. Bravo!!
A. Doherty

Nov 10 2012

I have to agree with all the other raves! Amazingly concise, informative and clearly presented. I too appreciate the solutions presented without flash and a great deal of equipment. Thank you, thank you!
D. Schulman

Nov 8 2012

Excellent class! I learned a lot about lighting and not just lighting in mid-day sun. Lindsey's explanations of directional lighting, reflectors and diffusors truly helped me understand lighting!
A. Farlow

Nov 7 2012

Absolutely loved the class! I found it very useful! I have been waiting for a class on midday sun and finally, viola! Thank you very much!
N. Dinally

Nov 6 2012

Thank you so much Lindsay.This is the best course I have ever seen about midday sun lighting situations and how to tackle them at ease.Lindsay knows exactly how to teach and how to get this information through this entire class and most importantly make it look so easy to follow along.Great job Lindsay and I can't wait to see your next class.Keep up the great work!!!
U. Hofmarksrichter

Nov 6 2012

The nobel prize for the best female teacher of photography this year ( and for the next 12 years ) goes to LINDSAY ADLER !!
T. Horne

Nov 6 2012

WOW! I have been watching "Conquering Midday Light" with Linday Alder. II would have to say, that content wise after using the site for almost 2 years, this is one of the BEST Kelby Video Training Courses on the site! For an amateur photographer this course has had the most relevant content to date. An added plus, is that there is no HUGE investment to get the kind of exposures that Lindsay is getting on top of having a camera. Great job Lindsay and Kelby Training! I hope more courses like this are coming!
R. Pollock

Nov 6 2012

Wonderful class and easy to follow. Thank you.
C. King

Nov 6 2012

Another excellent class by Lindsay Adler. Lindsay packs lots of helpful tips that will allow you to take control of harsh mid-day light. I found the before and after pictures great to show the difference among various light controlling methods. Most importantly, you'll feel confident that you can replicate Linday's results after you've watched this video.
A. Parr

Nov 6 2012

Really enjoyed this class very usefull :)
J. Rosado

Nov 5 2012

Thank you!! I learned so much!! Well taught Lindsay! ---- No, I'd keep it between us
D. Dillon

Nov 5 2012

Great job! Lindsey gives great ideas and shows the practical way of getting the best shot. It shows the "real world" situations we run into. Thanks to Kelby Training for great training material!
J. Guzman

Nov 4 2012

awesome tutorial very good , one of my fav...thanks for that !!!
R. McClure

Nov 4 2012

Excellent class! Lindsay explains it so clearly!
R. El Zein

Nov 4 2012

I love Lindsay. She's a great teacher and you can tell that she has a wealth of experience in fashion photography. I look forward to seeing more of her work and her classes on Kelby. Cheers. Ramy.
D. Dugdale

Nov 4 2012

I learned a ton from this one. One of the best videos on Kelby.
J. Gabriel

Nov 4 2012

Excellent tutorial. From equipment selection to mental and technical application of technique, Lindsay covers all of the subtle nuances that separate the best Portrait Professionals from the average DSLR operator. Bravo!
V. Schmidt

Nov 2 2012

One of the best courses about lighting! It is great to see how Lindsay Adler is becoming a more professional presenter with each video. It is easy to follow her advice and it is nicely demonstrated with the video. Thank you!
E. Dombrowski

Nov 2 2012

I have been a Kelby Training customer for a couple of years now. I have watched all the great instructors you have. I have to say Lindsay Adler is one of the best instructors you have and this course in particular was terrific. Her definitions of open VS covered shade and the differences in highlights and shadows was an Ah Ha moment for me. She is easy to follow and her examples are terrific. Lastly, other then the California Sun Bounce Diffuser at the end of the video, she made all of these wonderful portraits using very inexpensive modifiers that any photographer can afford. I will be watching this one again I am sure.
S. Jones

Nov 1 2012

Excellent, great advice. Bring on the sun, I'll be ready and waiting!
H. Dinardo

Nov 1 2012

The video was great and she's a very good instructor who is easy to follow and very informative.
S. Catalani

Nov 1 2012

So so so so useful! Thanks!!
C. Banton

Nov 1 2012

This was a great class! Lindsay knew exactly what she wanted to do and why she wanted to do it. She has a great talent of being able to give you a lot of information in a very few words.
S. De Naipir

Nov 1 2012

Excellent class and very useful ideas. Well done!
A. McInnis

Nov 1 2012

Looking at the chapter headings for this course I thought that I had seen most of it in other Kelby videos, however once it started Lindsay got my attention on the correct way to use these aids. I really like the way she explained what she was doing by giving several concrete examples of each point she was making, i.e. how a reflector should be used etc. My knowledge in this area has been increased greatly watching this video! Good work!
P. Blyth

Nov 1 2012

Effective techniques clearly explained and demonstrated by Lindsay to boost confidence in photographers wary of harsh midday light.
D. Smith

Oct 31 2012

Lindsay, fantastic course. After seeing your studio course, which was excellent and among my favorites, i kept refreshing the "coming soon" section for "conquering midday light" hoping it was going be as good and it was. You get to the point and cover a lot of concepts and examples. The before and after comparison shots that you take and that the production team has put together in 'post' is some of the best yet on kelby training. Nicely done.
D. Abel

Oct 31 2012

Fantastic tutorial. Lindsay presents in such a concise, informative and practical manner. More please Lindsay. Enjoyed the fact that it was just natural light as I don't have flash. Loved it, thank you.
I. Boden

Oct 31 2012

Excellent class on taming difficult light! Lindsay does an outstanding job explaining each situation. She has a keen eye and sees the problems and knows how to fix them immediately. Loved it!

CAMERA & LENSES

Canon 5D Mark III

REFLECTORS & DIFFUSERS

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Your InstructorLindsay AdlerFashion & Portrait Photographer

									Lindsay Adler is a professional portrait and fashion photographer based in New York. For the past 10 years she has owned and operated a portrait, fashion, and wedding studio distinguished by its...VIEW FULL BIO»								

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