Back-lighting kills me

[Ron Evers]

Our balcony faces south, so most of the time I am faced with severe back-lighting when shooting from this vantage point. Other than that it is a great spot to capture wildlife from because critters are not so nervous of me on the balcony as they are when I am on the ground. Here are examples of how I loose the detail due to the back-lighting.

Sears 80-200/4.0 @ 180mm & f5.6


1. Robin holding court

2.

3.

 

[Rephargotohp]

The obvious answer would be to adjust your position, You can't make "Natural" light what it isn't but you said that you really can't
A solution may be what a lot of wildlife photographers do and that is to "Create" the light they need through the use of flash and Flash extenders

"Better Beamer" Flash Extenders - The NatureScapes.Net Store

 

[Ron Evers]

The obvious answer would be to adjust your position, You can't make "Natural" light what it isn't but you said that you really can't
A solution may be what a lot of wildlife photographers do and that is to "Create" the light they need through the use of flash and Flash extenders

"Better Beamer" Flash Extenders - The NatureScapes.Net Store

Never knew of flash extenders but your post gave me an idea - set up a remote flash under the balcony. I did & now waiting for some birds. Thanks.

 

[Overread36]

Good luck with the remote flash, but I'd stick something bird-sized in the birdbath just to take a few quick test shots with (heck even just some test shots of the bath itself would help). That way you can enter in any flash compensation values you might find you need with the lighting to get things just right for when the birds appear.

 

[Ron Evers]

It may have helped, the sun is now about as far west as it was east in the earlier pics & I now see greater detail in this Robin shot. However, I think I need to move the flash closer to the birdbath.

 

[Ron Evers]

I moved the flash closer but now we have heavy overcast & flat light so this shot is not overcoming back-lighting.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

One simple way may be to just install some reflectors around the bird bath. Yes, the birds will be gone for a couple days until they figure out that "thing" is safe but they will be back.

 

[Ron Evers]

One simple way may be to just install some reflectors around the bird bath. Yes, the birds will be gone for a couple days until they figure out that "thing" is safe but they will be back.

If they come back they better bring their ice skates.

It has been frozen solid for the past week but I removed the ice & leaves this morning & put in some warm water.

Your idea has merit & I will think about using it next spring. Thanks.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Another idea that came to mind is to put up a diffuser in the back. It would also help by getting rid of the grass background if you want.

 

[Sierra Echo]

#3 is so fun!! Love the commotion in that shot!

 

[Hotkeez]

it may seem to be a bit extreme, but have you thought of moving the bird bath?