Field Tip #2: Lighting Basics

Field Tips for Better Project Photos

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The Exposure’s Field Tips series is all about giving you practical ways to capture photos you’re proud of—right in your own space, with your phone or point-and-shoot camera.

When you walk a jobsite, you’re thinking about progress, materials, and safety — but the best photographers are also watching the light. It’s one of the biggest factors in how your project looks on camera.

I took a quick walk around Downtown Phoenix with just my iPhone 16 within an hour of sunrise — and they’re a great reminder that lighting can make or break a shot.

Early Light Creates Shape
The low morning sun gives building definition. Notice how east-facing facades pick up warm light, while the shaded sides stay cool. That contracts makes the materials and massing read more clearly than flat midday light.

Keep Sun to Your Back – Not Your Subject’s
Shooting into the sun can look dramatic, but it usually darkens your subject and throws off colors. The camera compensates for the bright sky, cooling tones and dulling materials. Step a few feet to the side so the sun is just out of frame — you’ll keep the glow without losing detail or accurate color.

Watch Where the Light Falls
A small shift in your position can change the entire shot. Keep the light behind you or beside you so your subject is evenly exposed — and always check that you’re not casting your own shadow across the frame.

Why it Matters
Good lighting doesn’t just make your photo more visually pleasing, it better shows the craftsmanship. The textures and angles of works need the right light to shine. When you capture those details correctly, your work tells its own story.

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👉 Try these tips on your next site walk.. And when you’re ready to go beyond documentation and capture your projects in their best light, let’s talk: taylorg@sitesnapsaz.com