The Natural Light Portrait Book

Using the Sun as a Rim Light or Hair Light

Later in the day, when the sun is lower in the sky, you can use the sun as a hair light, like the shot you see above. If we were in a photography studio, we’d call this bright light on the side “kicker light,” or if it’s more behind them, we’d call it a “rim light.” To take advantage of the sun as your second light, turn your subject so the sun is behind them, but not directly behind them—you want it a bit to the side. Luckily, this is easy to see while you’re positioning your subject, so getting them into this position where the sun is your rim light is fairly easy. It’s also okay that this hair light ...