Key Takeaways

• Use HDR mode to balance light contrasts in harsh lighting situations.
• Block out light with your hand or use third-party camera apps for exposure control.
• Utilize natural diffusers, reflective surfaces, and varied angles for creative photo outcomes.

Harsh lighting can be a real headache when trying to capture the perfect shot with your smartphone. Unlike DSLRs, where you have all sorts of controls, smartphones can feel a bit limiting.

But here’s the thing: harsh lighting doesn’t have to ruin your photos. I’ve found a few tricks that help me make harsh lighting work in my favor. Here’s how I do it.

1 Using HDR Mode

My first go-to when shooting under harsh light is turning on my phone’s HDR mode. HDR mode gets a bad rap sometimes for producing overly processed-looking images. However, I’ve found it particularly helpful when shooting in uncontrollable light conditions.

HDR mode captures multiple images at different exposures and blends them to create a balanced shot. This can help reduce the intense contrasts that harsh lighting often creates, making the shadows less dark and the highlights less blown out. Just make sure to hold your phone steady, as HDR works best with minimal movement.

The beauty of HDR mode is its ability to bring out details that might otherwise be lost in the shadows or blown out by the highlights. For instance, if you’re shooting a landscape with a bright sky and dark foreground, HDR can help you capture both elements in a more balanced way. Instead of ending up with a washed-out sky or a nearly black foreground, you’ll get a shot that represents the scene more accurately.

That said, HDR isn’t perfect for every situation. It can sometimes introduce a slight delay between shots, which isn’t ideal for moving subjects. But for static scenes in harsh light, it’s a lifesaver.

2 Controlling the Exposure With Your Hand

One of the simplest tricks I use is to block out some of the light with my hand. When the sun is too bright, I place my hand just above the lens to create a bit of shade over the camera. This reduces the intensity of the light hitting the lens, helping to avoid overexposure and lens flare. It’s a quick fix that can make a big difference, especially when shooting outside without other tools.

3 Using Third-Party Camera Apps

While the built-in camera app on my phone does a decent job most of the time, there are situations where I need more control. That’s where third-party camera apps come in. Apps like ReLens and Pro Camera give you control over the exposure triangle—ISO, shutter speed, and aperture (or as close as you can get on a smartphone).

Controlling the exposure triangle on my smartphone is a photography rule that transformed my smartphone photos. In harsh light, I can tweak my camera settings to control how my camera handles the light. It takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, the difference in your photos will be obvious.

4 Using Natural Diffusers

Sometimes, the best solution is to soften the light before it even hits your subject. I’ve learned to look for natural diffusers like trees, clouds, or even buildings that can break up the harshness of direct sunlight.

When I’m shooting outdoors and the light is too intense, I position myself so that my subject is in the shade of a tree or a cloud drifts in front of the sun. This creates a much softer, more flattering light that’s easier to work with.

Natural diffusers can also add an interesting dynamic to your photos. The dappled light that filters through leaves can create beautiful patterns on your subject, adding depth and texture to the image. Or, shooting through a translucent object like a thin curtain can create a soft, ethereal effect.

If you’re in an urban setting, tall buildings can provide shade, while in nature, trees, rocks, or even the landscape itself can help diffuse the light. The key is to be aware of your surroundings and use what’s available.

5 Using Reflective Surfaces

Another technique I’ve found useful when shooting in harsh light is to use reflective surfaces to bounce light onto my subject. Reflective surfaces, like mirrors, white walls, or even a piece of aluminum foil, can help soften the light and reduce shadows.

If you’re shooting a portrait in harsh sunlight, you can use a reflector to bounce some of that light back onto your subject’s face, filling in the shadows and creating a more even exposure. Even something as simple as a white piece of paper can act as a makeshift reflector in a pinch.

When I don’t have a reflector on hand, I look for naturally occurring reflective surfaces, like water, glass buildings, or light-colored pavement. These can help redirect light in a way that makes for a better image.

6 Trying Multiple Angles and Compositions

Harsh lighting can create some interesting shadows and contrasts, which can actually work in your favor if you play around with different angles and compositions. Knowing how to get the perfect composition in your smartphone photos is key here. I’ve found that shooting from low angles or capturing the light from behind can produce dramatic effects.

Where possible, I like to experiment by moving around my subject, seeing how the light falls from different perspectives. Sometimes, what seems like a poorly lit scene from one angle can turn into a striking image from another.

7 Fine-Tuning the Image in Post-Processing

Even with all the best techniques, sometimes the photo still doesn’t come out exactly as I want it to. That’s where post-processing comes in. I use Lightroom Mobile and Snapseed to fine-tune my images after the fact.

Adjusting the highlights, shadows, and contrast can often rescue a shot that looked too harsh initially. I also like to play with the white balance and saturation to bring out the colors that the harsh lighting washed out.

Post-processing allows you to have the final say in how your image looks. If the image looks too warm or cool due to the lighting, you can adjust the white balance to bring it closer to what you envisioned. Similarly, tweaking the saturation can help bring out colors that might have been dulled by the harsh light.

Shooting in harsh lighting with a smartphone can be challenging, but with a few tricks, you can still make it work. Whether it’s using HDR mode, controlling the exposure, finding natural diffusers, experimenting with angles, or fine-tuning in post-processing, there are plenty of ways to make harsh light work for you.