Web Design: Watch the Sun for Better Photographs (1 of 3)

Here’s a quick way to improve your website design; and it doesn’t cost anything!

There’s a simple rule-of-thumb photographers know about that is often overlooked by the non-professional: Whenever possible, avoid harsh, direct sunlight resulting from mid-day sun in favor of the softer light that occurs in the mornings and evenings.

On a cloudless day, direct sunlight coming from straight overhead can “wash out” the hue saturation of colors while also excessively increasing contrast: The resulting images can tend to appear “flattened” and “bleached-out”. Contrast this with the softer, more subdued light of the morning and evening where dynamic range increases considerably, yielding what appears to be a wider spectrum of more saturated color (see photo).

As an added bonus, people in your photos won’t be squinting into the camera.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This