Call it learning the hard way, but It takes a few mistakes to learn there's a smarter way to set up and paint outside.
For example, I've had my easel dump at least 5 times- wind+umbrella= sail!
I've tripped on my tripod,. Or bystanders have.
I've faced the sun and my pupils dialate so much that I can't see color..
So today, when I took time to find a good scene to paint, I also considered the best place to stand. I decided I would need an umbrella for an hour or so before the sun would be behind a tree. I faced my easel into the shade of that tree rather than into the bright scene I was painting, so my pupils wouldn't dialate, rendering me color-blind . I would rather turn my head to look.
Since I needed to attach my umbrella to my tripod for an hour or so, I spread the legs as far as they would go and then lifted the tripod neck to attach my pochade- a Strada. I attached my umbrella to a tripod leg. If a gust of wind lifts the umbrella, there is less chance of a disaster if the legs are set wide. Of course you should tether the umbrella too.
For added stability, I always hang my backpack on my tripod hook to give it extra weight.
With the tripod legs extending wide, it's easy to trip on them. Believe me!! . I lean some objects on or around the legs so that passerbys -and I can see to avoid them. My umbrella case, brush carrier and wet panel carrier work well to prop near the legs.
The inadvertent advantage I just discovered today of having my back to people is that my painting was facing those walking by. A woman watched my progres- unbeknownst to me- and ended up buying the painting... she had grown up going to that beach and now also felt connected to the painting, having watched it develop.
By taking time to set up, you may gain more time to paint by outwitting what Mather Nature throws your way!
Backed into the shade, I just need to turn to look. Using a Strada easel with EasyL umbrella. I use one side tray for paint, the other to rest dirty brushes and when I'm done, the two trays clam shell together and I can toss in backpack and pop in freezer when I get home.
The finished painting...voila!.. and sold!