meter bright b/g. set exposure accordingly. set yr flash accordingly to the metered exposure. ensure subject is within distance of flash. bravo! b/g well exposed. subject exposed by flash according to abovementioned exposure setting.
Hi,
Can someone share how to control the exposure setting (ISO, Aperture, with or w/o flash etc) when taking a picture with a bright background e.g: Outdoor afternoon. The subject usually turn out very dark.
Thanks!
Do you want to rectify the situation of a back-lit subject, or do you want to create a silhouette?
Thanks. I want to rectify the situation of a back-lit subject and not to create a silhouette.
Also, u can try HDR for a change. Merge the photos together.
But if you don't expose the subject properly.. no matter how you HDR, it can't help
It's not trade secret, is all about understanding of light through your camera.I was observing a wedding photographer last time.
He was taking a shot of a couple standing at the door way with bright sunlight shining behind.
I tried taking a shot and only got a dark subject. But his picture was turn out great.
He was kind enough to share that he was using spot metering, by metering the subject.
Not sure what other setting he used, I think it was a trade secret.
I tried the spot metering, the subject was nicely exposed this time but I got the background slight overexposure.
Anyone care to share?
Without Flash - Spot metering/Blown Out backround.
This would look good if you have a main focus to your picture for example a person infront of a window. I am facing the window and the person, the person has there back towards the bright window. If i spot meter to the persons face, which will be darker, the background exposure will be blown out because the spot metering, meters the face correctly.
For flash, Meter to the back round. Fill in the subject with the flash for the background to be well exposed.
All this can be experimented with if you know the basics.
Play around with the gear you have and see what images you get from different angles, flash power, backgrounds, models, aperture, shutterspeed, direct flash/bounceflash.