10 ideas and tips to have more creative summer photos

05.06.2023.

Summer is the time when you can put on ease your passion for photography. Surrounded by beaches or tranquil mountains, the scenic atmosphere is included by itself. It’s the time to fulfill your Europe bucket list.

The Mediterranean streets are full of charming corners and cute bars and restaurants. Sunset is the time to stop the day and truly enjoy your favourite moments.

Though everything seems to be at the palm of your hands, you still lack the ideas.

Sun and the heat are the biggest challenges, but summer brings a unique enchantment.

The main challenges

Taking photos during bright sunny days is almost impossible as the Sun takes out all the focus. Shadow becomes too intense and it’s difficult to adjust the two. The golden hour has justice to be the most appropriate time to take photos. Early sunrise brings awesome colours and reflections, just like the period of 1h before sunset.

Not only the harsh Sun, but you must consider the clouds and position of the Sun. Clouds give the perfect background for portraits, flower photography or forest images. Clear skies highlight the landscape views, especially during the hikes. Street photography also becomes the focus during the bright days.

How to master the harsh light

Your experience doesn’t come into question and your summer photos can become truly magic. With longer days we have more Sun, which is mostly too high. The contrasts put lots of obstacles whitening your photos.

Too much light with this mural but lovely play of shadow

Dark shadows are not only reflecting on the streets, but the people’s faces. Taking photos in the shade is the common solution.

Golden hour gives the perfect angle and soft colours, so you should take it into account.

The importance of golden hour

The mid-day is the worst time to take photos, not only because of the direct light but also the sweat it brings. You should definitely avoid it, taking into account mostly the golden hour.

Golden hour offers the treasure of colours and calm moments, without the crowds. It’s the perfect period to stop the day and collect the miracle of photography.

Bol, island Brač just after sunrise, no people and clear colours when blue stands out

Long shadows during the golden hours are the way to master this obstacle within the day. Choosing the right angle is the key to success. The details come into focus and create marvelous effects.

Though natural light is the time to avoid flash, sometimes it’s unmissable in the dark corners.

If you’re serious about photography, golden hours shine with royal magic.

Focus on the details

Even during the mid-day, you can make marvelous photos capturing the cute details. You don’t need a specific gear, just pay attention around you.

Window photography is always in

Artistic windows of the stonemason school, Pučišća, island Brač

Lovely doors hold the identity of a place and artistic spirit. You can play with the poses here, especially if you have flowers to display. The Mediterranean streets are mostly decorated with floral, marine or historic spirit. Lovely restaurants and bars put on the surface their creative flow for the summer season. This additional invite can be a reason alone to visit a certain place.

Red details, Poreč

Hotel garden, island Brač

Gardens and parks can be a fantastic source of inspiration. Admiring the flowers and bugs is your way to blend with nature. Don’t forget the simple tricks for the best nature photos. Being creative is essential advice and noticing colours that give a vibrant shine.

Minimalism offers stunning images full of character and story. Your creativity will flow with the particular account of the composition.

Peaceful Mediterrean streets are so magical

Play with the shadows

Shadows have their own story that can fill the whole summer. Sunlight creates the winning combination with the shadow pattern. The contrast between them bursts with fantastic images, each with their unique spirit.

Palm shadows at Nerja, Spain

The elegant design becomes the new face of many buildings, thanks to the shadows. The ordinary scenes capture every moment in its glory and transmit eternal memories.

Leaves and shadows intertwine miraculous feelings with thousands of possibilities on the surface.

Summer flowers

Summer flowers bring endless ideas giving the throne to bougainvillea. From lavender fields to roses and various wildflowers, every corner can capture your attention. Open your eyes to tell the stories with the flowers, colours and vibrations. The details are incredibly powerful and every colour full of emotions. Summer flowers can be your way to give creativity a new perspective.

Bougenvilla, the queen of the summer

Endless photo possibilities with bougenvilla

Immerse yourself with the abundant world of summer flowers and their meaning. The precious gift of acceptance becomes with the flowers and you can be its leader.

Numerous restaurants and caffe bars hold the glory of flowers, especially at the summer terraces.

Beach ideas

The beach is the source of your inspiration forever. Whether you’re playing with the waves or blending with turquoise colours, the beach is yours. Most of these photos are made at the wonderful island Brač and Hvar.

Cute little coves, Bol, island Brač

Blending with seaside colours, Bol, island Brač

Playing the fairy, Sutivan, island Brač

Yoga at the beach is always a great idea

You can be a sirene or do yoga- just bring your particular story. Beach provides an excellent set-up for portrait photography. It’s up to your creativity to design your perfect beach invitation.

Cute beach bars bring an awesome backdrop, especially with the floral shine.

If you’re surrounded by boats, beach photos create an additional charm.

The beach can be so tranquil, but sometimes so turbulent, you can play with colours in numerous ways.

Why not hammock at the beach?

Drawing in the sand is a popular beach fun activity. Though in Croatia (where I live) there are not many sand beaches, it’s an iconic way to experience the beach.

Other beach ideas

The beach can be a background for your artwork or picnic photos. Message in the bottle shines in so many versions as an artistic inspiration.

Long exposure offers a scenic ambiance emphasizing the beauty of the beach.

Hair flows in wilderness where freedom takes the rule. Paddling, kayaking or surfing becomes popular in recent time and so very Instagrammable.

Paddling and beach are so instagrammable, Jelsa, island Hvar

Underwater photos have their particular magic.

Cocktails and drinks flow with their vibrant colours and usually totally blend with the beach.

As the symbol of the seaside, palm trees offer the iconic shine to the beach photos.

Sunset ideas

The summer is composed of sunsets, isn’t it? The long, bright days are perfect to catch the clear ending. Even if you’re busy with work, the sunset will rise up your mood.

Pointing to the Sun with the heart or a similar manner is the way to accept the light and positivity. Playing with the colours can be dynamic or pretty smooth.

Awesome sunset at Supetar, island Brač

Flash is very helpful as sunset photos can be slightly dark.

When clouds appear, it can be truly magical. The dramatic explosion of colours are just so Instagrammable. Where to search for sunset if not at the beach? Reflections of the sunset add an additional charm, especially with the boats around. Taking care of composition gives instantly your photos an additional level.

The sunset colours are not the only factor as different exposure brings a charm and many varieties. Overexposing creates a foreground in the focus and underexposing dramatic scenes.  

Silhouettes

Silhouettes give amazing shapes to the objects, especially during sunset. Facing the Sun is the way to bring silhouettes into the perfect composition. Beach photography offers the awesome silhouettes.

Already late for beach photography but silhouettes & sunsets are amazing combination

Not only portraits, creating silhouettes numerous possibilities almost everywhere. You can try it with buildings, wildlife, people in motion.

Golden hour is your time to practice fantastic silhouettes as the Sun is low. Bring background into the exposure and adjust angle and brightness.

Action in the focus

Action is the essence of summer when outdoor fun brightens the day. You will freeze the movements best by fast shutter speed and burst mode. Even with your burst mode, time is the key. Burst mode is a continuous shooting mode where you don’t stop your series of photos.

Final thoughts

Bright light of the summertime is full of vibrant colours, but golden hour weaves the magic. With these tips, any photo enthusiast can improve their skills to alluring heights.

Go brave to chase the light but take care of the Sun. Bring flowers closer to the unique cheerfulness of summer. Be creative as the beach opens its arms to creativity. Summer is the season of berries so you can truly take advantage of this. Grab your camera and let your adventure flow in the world of photography.

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