June: Hard Light, Sand and Water

If you must shoot at noon, find open shade — under a tree, beside a wall — where the light is soft but still bright. Direct midday sun makes skin shine and shadows go black.

When hard light is the point, use it deliberately: a strong diagonal shadow across the instep is a graphic choice, not an accident.

Wet sand holds a footprint for one frame only; plan the composition before the foot lands. Dry sand clings to skin, so rinse and pat dry before close frames.

In shallow water, shoot with a polarising filter to cut surface glare and let the shape of the foot show through the water rather than under a sheet of white reflection.

Sunscreen on the top of the foot, always — a burnt instep ruins a month of photographs. Rinse salt and chlorine off immediately and apply balm the same evening.

Hot pavement damages soles quickly. Sandals between locations, bare feet only for the frames themselves.