The Spotlight Method

Landscape and macro photographers dread sunny days for forest photography, especially mid-day sun. The lighting conditions are incredibly harsh, making for unflattering compositions and challenging exposures. 

Recently, I have decided to embrace this otherwise undesirable lighting scenario. I call it "the Spotlight Method." I look for subjects that are distinctly lit, with dark shadows in the background. I find a composition that emphasizes the lit subject, then intentionally underexpose the photo to make the shadows darker and to emphasize the brightly-lit subject without over-exposing it. 

The exposure approach is very simple. I typically shoot in aperture priority ("A" for all camera manufacturers, except Canon - they call it "AV"). Why? Most often, my most important creative decision is depth of field. I can easily control shutter speed through adjustments of ISO. What aperture I shoot at for the Spotlight Method depends on lens, subject, and distance to subject. Most often, it is in the wider apertures. Then I adjust my exposure compensation to typically -2.0 to ensure that the shadows are good and black. I may occasionally adjust that, but most often that is where my exposure compensation rests. 

Now, when I go on hikes in the woods on sunny days, I spend extra time looking for this particular photo opportunity. It often adds a new dimension to the experience.