Challenging shadow

[streved]

Hi all my first post. I need to get a good image of this playground. I have attached an image. Problem is the main part of the playground is in shadow as it is under a tree, which makes the image very contrasty and difficult to read.
The only thing I can think of: is to wait until twilight, take a shot (indirect ambiant light) and then compensate with a photo editor of some sort.
Does anyone think this will work. I welcome comments and suggestions?............(edited)...............Pweease.
Thank you

 

[Judobreaker]

Most important: If you can, shoot RAW.
RAW images contain a lot more data than simple jpg images so usually there's a lot of detail that can be pulled forwards out of the shadows.

Yes, shooting with a lot if indirect light instead of direct 2pm light will decrease the shadows enormously.

A photo editor will definitely help, although it has its limitations.
Shooting in RAW will increase what you can do with a photo.


Here's a very quick edit I did to the jpg you provided. As you can see it is not too hard to decrease the contrast by pulling back details from the shadows.
Like I said though, RAW images are much easier to work with and give much better results... Imagine what you could do then! ^^

 

[MLeeK]

Lighting galore or wait for an overcast day

 

[PhotoWrangler]

Umbrellas, speedlights, and radio triggers.

 

[cgipson1]

Overcast day... and then HDR it! No big deal!

 

[MLeeK]

Umbrellas, speedlights, and radio triggers.

WIth considerable power because you are going to have to place them back quite a way.

 

[MLeeK]

I have to say I love the design of this playground. Although it looks like one GIANT kitty litter box.

 

[tirediron]

Overcast day... and then HDR it! No big deal!

This! ^^

 

[streved]

Ha ha, no cats in this place. Washed river sand is a common softfall material here in Western Australia. Thanks for the advice all of you. I think I will have to wait for twilight, overcast days are about 6 months away. I will have to borrow a camera as i am shooting with a samsung galaxy with no RAW facility. HDR, some photoshop thing?

 

[PhotoWrangler]

WIth considerable power because you are going to have to place them back quite a way.

Not if you shoot it the right way. 4 SB900's at full power bounced of some highly reflective umbrellas in less than direct sunlight. I think it would be worth a try.

 

[cgipson1]

WIth considerable power because you are going to have to place them back quite a way.

Not if you shoot it the right way. 4 SB900's at full power bounced of some highly reflective umbrellas in less than direct sunlight. I think it would be worth a try.

I would think that light falloff on that would cause coverage to be inadequate even in the middle of the shadow, much less the far side... unless you put lights / stands in the shot, and then cloned them out. Maybe if you had several really long booms to get the lights out over the shadow... would still have to edit them out later (and booms that long aren't available cheaply).

Maybe run some lines across it to hang the lights from... but still more work than the OP is probably willing to do if he is currently shooting it with a cell phone (or even borrowing a camera)

 

[Judobreaker]

Ha ha, no cats in this place. Washed river sand is a common softfall material here in Western Australia. Thanks for the advice all of you. I think I will have to wait for twilight, overcast days are about 6 months away. I will have to borrow a camera as i am shooting with a samsung galaxy with no RAW facility. HDR, some photoshop thing?

HDR basically (people are probably going to shoot me for creating such a simplistic description):
Combine one underexposed (for light areas), one properly exposed and one overexposed (for dark areas) shot into one photo which has all areas properly exposed.
Can also be done with more than 3 shots (for more advanced results).
Yes, you can do this with Photoshop and various other software.

 

[streved]

Thanks to all those that assisted in this thread. Good advice, I think i have all the info to be able to record my design. Wont be an award winning pic, but should be OK for my purpose. Will post when I have somthing I am happy with.

Thanks again.

Stephen