Lighting question, when shooting outside (PICS)
 

Sorry for the duplicate...

Maybe you guys and girls can give me some pointers. Whenever I shoot outside the pictures turn out extra bright. Any tips? Also, should I always be using the flash unit as a fill in?

http://www.thegristle.com/kg/IMG_8100.jpg
http://www.thegristle.com/kg/IMG_8199.jpg

shoot in open shade for starters. or use a silk.

Ah okay, so, sunny is good but never in the sun, shoot in shade?!

Noted! Thanks!

Pick up a handheld light meter.

Get someone to hold reflectors for you or like Johnny said shoot more in the shade.

Also try & shoot early or late not in the middle of the day.

Nice looking girl btw...

Are you using any of those reflector things? They will keep you from getting so many shadows. Probably a gold one will give a more natural skin tone.

Thanks! I will need to learn how to use one of the handheld light meters things...

She is a gem. LOL, she made my learning experience really easy and painless. Great girl!

No, I didn't use any reflectors. Just had the flash going for most of the pictures. I didn't point the flash at her but used the white thingy (not sure what it is called).

no, don't exactly shoot in the shade or the pics will come out too dark. Simply have the model at an angle fromt he sun

He said 'open shade', there is a difference...:2 cents:

Alright, I will have to experiment there :)

Well, okay. What is open shade?

Here, this should help. :)
http://olympusdigitalschool.com/phot...ait/index.html

here's some "open shade" samples for ya:

http://candydreams.com/upload/natali...a_porch095.jpg

Oh hey! Thanks a lot for the link!

Hey Validus, open shade is reflected light where you are not shooting in direct sunlight but still have enough reflected light for an exposure. Another good lighting condition is shooting on an overcast/cloudy day.

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks, every bit helps. I am just making notes and will just need to give it another try :)

Johnny your stuff is awesome btw.

looks fine to me but what do I know?

you can always backlight as well:

http://candydreams.com/upload/paige_roof097.jpg

Ah okay. So, it is kind of like bouncing the flah of the ceeling.. just that it is the sun, not the flash?!

more backlit with NO refelctors

http://candydreams.com/upload/mayan_cowgirl005.jpg

backlit window light shot in hotel:

http://candydreams.com/upload/leila_schoolgirl029.jpg

shot available light in a hotel bathroom:

http://candydreams.com/upload/carly_erin022.jpg

You are so welcome..I take all my own pics with a remote and friggin work lamps from Walmart, so I read everything I can on how to make what I have work better for me until i can afford a proper light kit. :) .:thumbsup

uno mas:

http://candydreams.com/upload/carly_erin060.jpg

it's about SEEING light. takes some time, but you'll get it. :)

similar, it's about the light filling in an area with no actuall direct sunlight.

thanks :)

Ah, ok. Good... I will need to try :)

what he said :thumbsup

the only problem with open shade is that it can cast a blue light (like your example), you may want to warm up the skin tones in post.

yea, that I can do :). Thanks to photoshop... What light meter would you recommend?

while many may cringe here (including dean) i don't use a light meter. haven't since i've gone digital. that's been about 4 years+. learn how to trust your LCD preview and how it translates to your desktop machine and a real monitor.

if you need a light meter get the minolta auto meter IV.

johnny o

nice eyes...


Mr. Romance

small dinamic diapason and low down the exposition.
or change your camera.

Yep Chase, gold does help warm up skin tones. I shot these with a gold reflector last year. Johnny knows the place well :winkwink:

http://www.foxyanya.com/images/gfy/anyafx1.jpg

http://www.foxyanya.com/images/gfy/anyafx2.jpg

http://www.foxyanya.com/images/gfy/anyafx3.jpg

Still learning, but experimenting does help :)

Anya

Nice shots Anya! Love the background too.

what about the gold? What is it?

I have a bitch of a time shooting outside as well. PLus I don't have anyone to hold reflectors, nor do I want to if I can get away with it.

I'm using a canon d30 with a canon 550ex flash for fill.
Shadows are a problem for me sometimes. Especially when the sun is straight up.

I find that the canon 550ex flash with TTL (Through The Lens) auto light metering does a pretty good job in auto mode.

http://www.bikinivoyeur.com/bms03.jpg

u should cover the sun with something...
r use a nice shadow to take the pics.

So you use a catch light with the flash or just "hit her" with the flash straight on?

Yea, those are some great shots!

how about seeing the shot in focus?

Wow, girlie, those are fantastic! A whole bunch of beautiful shots in this thread. :thumbsup

interesting reading

http://www.thegristle.com/kg/IMG_8199_ba.jpg

Hm, I think photoshop does wonders!

lol, as an experienced shooter, i thought you know the difference between out of focus and camera blur. this is camera blur, shot around 1/60th sec.

there's an aesthetic value to it not being tack sharp but that eludes some. i shoot plenty of images for my own site/use and am granted the freedom of being my own AD. to each his own. :)

johnny o