Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 1:07 am Post subject: Mid day lighting - How do you approach it?
I've shot a few outdoor events in the almost directly overhead, harsh, lighting of the summer mid-day sun.
All I can say is, it's no fun.
I can get the exposure correct for peoples' faces, and the sky blows out. OR I get the sky exposed and the peoples faces don't quite get enough light (even with flash).
I've picked up a couple CPL filters for my lenses for the next shoot and am contemplating buying pocket wizards so I can get my flashes closer and remotely trigger them.
Can anyone else tell me how they approach working in the mid-day sun?
...but if I do I ALWAYS use a flash. I'd suggest using radiopoppers instead though... _________________ FREE PHOTOSHOP TUTORIALS: http://www.redpixelmedia.com
(Looking for advertising trade-offs! We advertise you, you advertise us!)
Joined: 03 Nov 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:
Harsh, mid-day light is the WORST type of light to shoot in, but there are a few things you can do to help:
-Try to avoid it if possible at all.
-Use the "Sunny 16" rule to start with: start at f/16 & 1/250 sec shutter and work from there.
-Find shade
-Turn the exposure compensation (EC) of your camera down 1-1.5 stops, and use a flash with the flash's EC turned up .5-1.5 stops (depending on the distance between the flash and the subject). You may have to turn the camera's EC down even more, but if so, you'll need a powerful speedlight/strobe to get enough light to light the picture.
Basically, you just want to get the exposure as close to correct (partial & spot metering help immensely - I use partial metering almost exclusively) on the person's face, and not worry much about the background (that can always be fixed in post).
Again, it's tough, and you'll have to adjust constantly, but it can be done. Hope it helps! _________________ Photoshop Post Processing Tutorials - Glamour retouching, Photoshop features, image enhancement, and more. All FREE.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
