A huge thank you to everyone who took part and worked so hard to get those amazing images for the Marville Challenge - we did it! We won the challenge!

I’m super proud of every one of you. As the year draws to an end, we’re already excited for our next challenge - Action and Sport - I hope you are too! With all the opportunities around us, we are sure to get good images. 

Happy clicking. #greatlittleclub

Corné, Chair, MCC

Junior Top Image and Best Junior MCC - Jay Nabbe "Skylight"

Best Senior MCC - Leon Heyes "Diamonds and dots"

The 2025 International Pet Photographer of the Year

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katie.brockman.photography/  

   

Open shade: Open shade works much like light on an overcast day, in that there is no direct sunlight. However, colour will be slightly blue because the blue sky is a primary light source. You can overcome this by using your compact camera’s “snow” setting or by adjust your more advanced camera's colour balance setting (or change in post processing). A gold reflector can also bounce more flattering, warmer light into your subject’s face.

Direct overhead sunlight often causes “raccoon eyes” / deep shadows under the brow and eyes, making your subject look tired or squinty. 

Instead: position your subject in open shade (under a tree, next to a building, under a canopy), where the light is indirect and softer.

If no shade is available: use a diffuser or translucent panel between subject and sun to reduce contrast. 

Tip:  Have your subject face away from direct sun; turn their torso slightly so the strongest light is on one side, and use a reflector or fill-flash to lighten shadowed areas.     

On sunny days the dynamic range (bright highlights vs deep shadows) can exceed what the camera handles. 

Use your camera’s pop-up flash, an external flash on low power, or a reflector to bounce light into shadows (especially under the eyes and chin). 

Tip:  Set the flash to “fill” mode (not full power) so it doesn’t overpower but gently lifts the shadows. Reflectors (white/gold) work beautifully outdoors.  

Bright  sun can cause dappled light (sunlight through leaves), bright patches, blown highlights in the background, or a very bright sky behind your subject causing under-exposed face. 

Choose a background that is darker than the subject’s face, or at least evenly lit so the face stays the focus. 

Tip:  Move a bit so the background is in shade (but your subject still gets a little light). Alternatively, zoom in or choose an aperture that softly blurs background distractions. 

Sunny days aren’t only challenging - you can use the sun creatively by placing it behind your subject to create a rim of light (hair-light), glowing edges, a sense of separation from background. 

To do this: place subject between camera and sun (or slightly off axis). Then expose for their face (so they’re not dark), and optionally apply fill light to lift shadows. 

Tip:  Use a lens hood or shade the lens to prevent unwanted flare, or embrace selective flare for artistic effect. Keep your subject’s eyes clear of sun glare by asking them to look slightly away or tilt their head.    

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The NWO Studio
Haworth Road
Pietermaritzburg
KwaZulu-Natal
3201
South Africa