5 ideas and tips for spectacular summer photography

Summer is a season synonymous with warm sunlight, blue skies and a general sense of joy and relaxation.

But summer brings everything a photographer hates—harsh light, washed-out colours, heat vapour, haze, and great locations flooded with tourists.

Don’t worry, though. There are still some workarounds and unique opportunities that only summer can bring.

Here are five tips to help you make the most of your summer photography when the land is truly green and the skies are blue.

 

1. Golden hour magic

Idea: Utilise the Golden Hour for soft, warm lighting.

The “Golden Hour” refers to the period shortly after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, casting a beautiful, warm glow.

This time of day is ideal for capturing the warm, soft light that only happens when the sun is so low in the sky.

The sun is quite low in the sky from autumn to spring for longer periods throughout the day.

In summer, though, it is much shorter but offers a respite from the harsh, hazy light throughout the main part of the day.

Additionally, the popular locations will be devoid of crowds at sunrise.

 

Tips

1. Plan ahead

Sunrise is very early, and sunset is late in summer, so be sure to check sunrise and sunset times and plan your shoot accordingly.

Consider how long it will take you to travel to the location, walk to the spot you need to be in, and get set up.

Arriving in plenty of time also allows you to scout a location, think about your composition, and anticipate the kind of shot you will get in the conditions you will face.

Then, you will be ready when the magical light comes.

Also, consider traffic jams if you are travelling by day for a sunset. One advantage to a sunrise shoot is that travelling by night will avoid the holiday traffic.

 

2. Use the haze

The heat and haze can sometimes be your friend. On days when the sky is cloudless, the setting sun can often be very strong and the scene high in contrast.

If there is a haze on the horizon, this will help diffuse the sun’s strength and help increase the dynamic range, bringing back some of the detail in those shadows.

If there’s no haze, look for a composition with strong, clearly defined shapes for the features that will become silhouettes.

Related: Ultimate guide to silhouette photography

 

3. Use reflectors

While the Golden Hour light is naturally flattering, a reflector can help fill in shadows and add a touch of extra warmth to your subject.

 

2. Head to the seaside

Idea: Capture the fun and relaxation of a beach setting.

If you can’t beat them, join them. Summer is holiday time and there is no avoiding the crowds during the day.

Beaches are quintessential summer locations that offer numerous opportunities for dynamic and engaging photos. From playful action shots to serene landscapes, the beach provides a versatile backdrop.

 

Tips

1. Capture the summer lifestyle

Photograph people relaxing at the seaside, playing in the water, surfing, boating, or simply strolling along the beach.

Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action and splashing water. Also, though, consider slowing the shutter speed down just enough to capture a sense of movement without blurring out your subject completely.

 

2. Capture watersports

Surfers and bodyboarders are out in force in the summer, along with jet skis, speed boats, and more.

This offers a great opportunity to capture action shots and also practice panning.

Panning is a technique where you use a relatively slow shutter speed, 1/60 sec, for example, and then pan the camera while the shutter is open to add motion blur to the background while keeping your subject relatively sharp.

Related: A guide to coastal photography 

 

3. Flora and fauna focus

Idea: Highlight the beauty of summer greens, flowers and wildlife.

Of course, it’s only in summer when many trees and flowers are in full bloom and wildlife is more active.

This is the best time to shoot summer photography for those who love nature.

You can photograph summer flowers during the golden hour for warm colours or when they go in the shade for more natural-looking colours without harsh shadows.

You can also use heat vapour and haze for a creative effect.

 

Tips

1. Macro photography

Use a macro lens to get up close and capture the intricate details of flowers. This can reveal a world of beauty that is often overlooked.

 

2. Natural frames

Use elements like branches, leaves, and petals to frame your subject, adding depth and context to your photos.

 

3. Patience with wildlife

Patience is key when photographing animals. Spend time observing their habits and movements to capture the perfect moment. Alternatively, take a wildlife photography tour or book a photo hide.

 

4. Shoot on cloudy days

Idea: Capture the drama and intensity of cloudy days.

Summer photography doesn’t always have to be blue skies. There are days when it is not hot and clear, especially in the UK.

Days are often partly cloudy and can even be stormy. These are great times to head out with your camera.

The clouds diffuse and scatter the light, often spotlighting a scene or landmark. You can also capture the moment when the sun breaks through the clouds.

When the sun is high in the sky, and there are scattered clouds, you often get beautiful white puffy clouds whose texture is defined by the top light. It’s the only time you get true white clouds and deep blue skies.

 

Tips

1. Head to the coast

If it’s completely overcast or raining, head to the coast and seek out simple coastal scenes for long-exposure, minimalist, or black-and-white shots.

 

2. Capture mountains

The mountains can be quite dramatic in the summer, and we often see amazing summer storms with moody clouds swirling around mountain peaks. You could also capture some lightning strikes.

 

3. Head to the countryside

Look for fields of hay, corn, or other farmland scenes against a partly cloudy sky, which make interesting foreground subjects.

 

4. Portraits

Believe it or not, cloudy and overcast days are the best time to photograph people. The clouds diffuse the light and eliminate shadows, producing a softer, more flattering light for faces.

Related: A beginner's guide to composition in photography 

 

5. Sun and moon alignments that only happen in summer

Idea: Capture the sun or moon over a specific object or landmark

Only in the summer can the rising or setting sun or full moon align with a landmark, mountain peak, or other object.

In summer, the sun rises and sets more to the north, so it is only during this time that it may align with something from a given angle.

Conversely, the full moon rises at sunset or sets at sunrise in the south (when the moon is full, it is directly opposite the sun). These are opportune moments that occur only during the summer months.

 

Tip

Use an app to plan

Use a photography app such as Photopills, TPE or Peak Finder to help you determine where and when this might happen.

 

Specialist photography insurance through Ripe 

Heading out to try these summer photography tips? You may want to protect your camera and accessories through specialist photography insurance. 

At Ripe, we arrange cover that can be tailored to fit your exact requirements, so you only ever pay for what you need. You can cover up to £60k of equipment for theft and accidental damage, so you can feel at ease during your shoots. 

Click here to learn more about specialist camera insurance, or hit the button below to get an online quote today.