The sun is finally here: how to photograph sunny conditions.

Dust of the ray-bans, break out the flip-flops, it looks like sunny weather is finally coming to the UK (although probably not for long). So, just as you’ve finally gotten the hang of silhouettes and blue lighting, now you need to readjust your white balances in preparation for the golden hues or spring/summer.

While pointing and clicking is the best way to get some holiday snaps, those wanting a more professional look should remember that camera settings need to be as unique as the conditions surrounding the camera.

For one, if you photograph someone with a light source behind them, like the sun for example, you will more than likely silhouette their figure. This is fine if that’s the look you want but not so great if it isn’t. It is notoriously difficult to judge an image through the tiny view finder on a camera. To improve your chances of a great shot take a lot of images but also know the light quality you are working within.

The golden hour of outdoor photography is often said to be early more or sun setting in summertime as the light quality is softer and easier for the camera to process, this isn’t always true. A new style of cinematography, popularised by directors like JJ Abrams, is starting to be utilised more and more in still life photography in order to literally capture sunlight.

In the past, lens flare was a huge no-no in photograph but increasingly we are seeing it being used for a more natural feel. To achieve lens flare, vary the angle of your shot to try and refract the sunlight through the lens from above or the side of your subject. Depending on the number of lenses in your camera, you should be able to create different shapes of light in your image similar to a bokeh.

Of course, for an instant summer feel you could use an app like Instagram but with the number of people being impressed by the sepia filter depleting, it seems like the search is on for the next big craze in image processing.

To capture the true feeling of summer, it best to think of physical objects that are synonymous with sunny weather. Dandelions, deck chairs or even clothing like flip-flops or straw boater hats can capture that same sense of nostalgia found in Instagram but with more space for creativity and originality.