Always Avoid the Sun for Outdoor Videos

It is summer in a pandemic, so many of our activities are moving outdoors. Your video production can take place outside too! But keep in mind that the intense midday sun creates extreme contrasts between light and shadow that look unflattering on video. For best results, avoid direct sunlight by filming on a cloudy day, by changing the time of your shoot, or by staying in the shadows.

#ProTip: If your shoot is outdoors, film when it is cloudy, in the early morning or late evening, or in the shade.

Clouds provide the most consistent protection from the sun, so if you can wait for an overcast day to film, do it. If not, you can film in the early morning or late evening when the sunlight is less direct. For Indiana this time of year, that’s approximately from 6am-9am and 7pm-9pm (these times change with season and location). And if this is not possible, at least take cover in the shadow of a tree or building. Avoiding that direct sunlight will make your video better – you can work on your tan another day.

Katie Rutter is the executive producer of Thing in a Pot Productions. She has received multiple awards for her videos and the overall quality of her work, including being honored as Video Producer of the Year in 2018 by the Catholic Press Association. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our video ProTips in your inbox every month!