Summer Photography Tips and Tricks

Summer pictures are always looked back on fondly. When the weather warms up there are so many memories to create and share. But, if you’re not a photographer normally, it can be difficult to know how to get those great summer snaps.

From beautiful landscapes to sunny selfies, there are so many options when it comes to summer photography. Read our summer photography guide and learn how to capture the perfect summer photo.

Summer Landscape Photography

We’ve all seen those amazing pictures of summer landscapes. Though you may think they are really difficult to achieve, it can be surprisingly easy.

Take Photos Early

During early summer the days are very long, which means catching the sunrise at 4.30am may be a tricky task. However, sacrificing the occasional good night’s sleep can really benefit your summer photography.

The early summer sunrises look great in photos. Along with a field of crops or wildflowers it is the perfect setup for an amazing summer landscape picture.

Include Nature

To really show off the season, make sure to include flowers in bloom. If you have any local flowers specific to your area, this will make your photo unique.

Getting a range of foliage creates a wild, natural look, which will really emphasise the season.

Be Bold

At 8am in summer the sun is at its highest point in the sky, where it stays until 5pm. In clear weather, the light can be very harsh and intense, with the sun overhead and the shadows short and dense.

Such conditions aren’t particularly flattering or atmospheric, but if you like to shoot graphic images, strong sunlight is ideal. Buildings, bridges and other manmade structures look stunning on a clear summer’s day against a deep blue polariser sky, so head to the city and experiment with unusual viewpoints and wide angle lenses to create dynamic compositions.

Look for simple, abstract details and make the most of colour contrasts such as yellows, blues, greens and reds

Don’t Take Cloudy Days for Granted

It depends on where in the world you’re located, but if it’s a place where clouds are rare during the summer, make the most out of the days that have them.

Whenever there’s an overcast or partly cloudy day in the forecast, you should try to take advantage of it. Clouds are good for colorful sunrises and sunsets, and they can also make it easier to photograph forests and rivers and give a softer light throughout the day.

Use A Different Focal Length

Get out of your comfort zone and use a different focal length this summer. Lens focal length tells us the angle of view, how much of the scene will be captured, the magnification, and how large individual elements will be.

Different focal lengths can be a great way to experiment in summer, as you can achieve a range of scenic shots with different angles and emphasises on different elements.

Use a Polariser

A polariser is a must for helping to give your summer photography a boost. A polarising filter on your camera lens helps to reduce shiny reflection and glare, so colour saturation is increased and hazey effects are lessened. They also work to deepen a blue sky, and emphasise clouds, giving your photos a dramatic look.

Try Something Different

If all else fails, why not try something a little different? To create some really interesting and unique shots have a go at panning the camera horizontally or vertically to produce a streaky image. Create a zoomburst by zooming your lens whilst exposing a shot, or use an attachment to produce soft, dreamy effects.

Summer Portrait Photography

When it comes to group photography and selfies in the summer, the techniques to getting a great picture can differ slightly.

When taking photos of people outside, the sun can often get in the way, making everyone squint or cover their eyes. This can sometimes ruin the picture.

Here are some tips to help achieve a great shot of you and your friends this summer.

Shoot in the Shade

Out in the open, summer lighting can be harsh and unflattering. To combat this, step into the shade of a building or under a tree.

The light in the shade is soft as shadows are very weak and contrast is lower. Portraits benefit greatly from being shot in the shade, as you’ll avoid unflattering shadows on parts of your face.

Golden Hour

Golden hour is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour of light before sunset. Golden hour coats the world in a warm, natural light, which works amazingly for photography.

Taking selfies or group shots during golden hour is perfect as it will give everyone a natural glow, making each person look amazing and sun kissed.

Night Photography

The best time to take night shots is during the ‘crossover’ period between sunset and darkness, when there’s still colour in the sky, with daylight and manmade illumination in balance.

During summer this period lasts upwards of an hour so you can cover a lot more ground than at any other time of year. A group photo is the perfect opportunity during this time, as light is soft and there won’t be any glare from the sun.

Shoot Silhouettes

A silhouette is a great way to get a unique photo in summer. By placing a solid object between you and a bright background, you can achieve a great silhouette.

The object could be any simple, easily-identifiable shape such as a person, tree, boat or building and the background could be a fiery sunrise or sunset.

Silhouettes are a fantastic opportunity to strike a pose, jump up in the air, or make a fun shape with your body.

Try these summer photography tips and tricks this summer to achieve the perfect summer pictures or summer landscape. Feeling inspired to take some amazing photographs this summer? Upgrade your camera game with our excellent range of new cameras and used cameras.