Correctly Exposing Skies and Subjects

[tmf101610]

Please forgive me if this is not the correct spot to post this, and let me know if it isn't.

I'm wondering how to achieve a brilliantly lit sky as well as correctly expososed people? I find myself correctly exposing my subject but my skies are blown out. I'd love to get a nice blue sky with all the clouds. thanks!

Trish

 

[SCraig]

Most of the time, meter for the sky and use fill flash for the people. Or meter for the people and use a graduated neutral density filter for the sky.

 

[paigew]

You can meter for your subject and shoot with the sun behind you. This sky wasn't this blue sooc I did a slight adjustment on the sky with a brush in lr. The horse photo was taken about 1 hour before sunset. The boy on the beach mid day (I'm thinking 2:00) sun.

 

[KmH]

Investigate 'dynamic range', and how it relates to the image sensor in your camera and the scene you are trying to shoot. Learn Photography Concepts

 

[tmf101610]

Most of the time, meter for the sky and use fill flash for the people. Or meter for the people and use a graduated neutral density filter for the sky.

I really dislike flash photography. I've never used a filter. Don't really know anything about 'em. Can you point me in the direction of said filter?

 

[SCraig]

There have probably been millions of studio portraits shot with flashes of some sort.

As to GND filters: neutral density gray on half blending to clear on the other half. Lowers the exposure on one half without affecting the other.
graduated neutral density filters - Google Search

 

[Ysarex83 77]

Most of the time, meter for the sky and use fill flash for the people. Or meter for the people and use a graduated neutral density filter for the sky.

I really dislike flash photography. I've never used a filter. Don't really know anything about 'em. Can you point me in the direction of said filter?

You're looking for something like this: B+W 55mm 502 Graduated 0.6 ND Filter 65-041905 B&H Photo Video But flash is the better answer. The filter isn't very effective if your subject doesn't conform to it's straight line graduation. Your other two alternatives are: 1. Be more selective about the natural lighting condition and avoid the problem. 2. Learn to apply some extreme post processing techniques (not really a good idea).

Joe

 

[MK3Brent]

Most of the time, meter for the sky and use fill flash for the people. Or meter for the people and use a graduated neutral density filter for the sky.

I really dislike flash photography.

What you dislike about it, is probably from improper use of it.

 

[Stradawhovious]

If you have a flash, and know how to use it, it is the best of all worlds in this scenario by exposing for the background and lighting the subject with your flash like SCraig said. If not, you either re-compose so the natural light is in your favor, or miss the shot entirely if that isn't an option.

Taken using SCraig's method by an amatuer photographer (me).... May not necesssarily be bright blue sky, but it's the same idea of exposing the background and lighting your subject.

 

[tmf101610]

Most of the time, meter for the sky and use fill flash for the people. Or meter for the people and use a graduated neutral density filter for the sky.

I really dislike flash photography.

What you dislike about it, is probably from improper use of it.

Most likely. I've only used an on camera flash while bouncing the light off the ceiling. Other than that, I've only used natural light and studio lighting, which I love.

I can tell when other people have used an OCF and I think it looks horrible. Maybe they're using it improperly too?

 

[KatiaGPhoto]

How do you bounce and on-camera flash to the ceiling??

 

[Stradawhovious]

How do you bounce and on-camera flash to the ceiling??

Point it towards the ceiling.

Assuming you're using a speedlight.

If you're using your popup flash, in lieu of using some sort of crazy third party contraption or homemade bounce card...... you can't. And even then, the results are less than desireable.

 

[KatiaGPhoto]

How do you bounce and on-camera flash to the ceiling??

Point it towards the ceiling.

Assuming you're using a speedlight.

If you're using your popup flash, in lieu of using some sort of crazy third party contraption or homemade bounce card...... you can't. And even then, the results are less than desireable.

That's what I thought he meant, a popup flash. Was wondering how on earth he got the light up there in the first place, lol!

 

[jake337]

How do you bounce and on-camera flash to the ceiling??

Point it towards the ceiling.

Assuming you're using a speedlight.

If you're using your popup flash, in lieu of using some sort of crazy third party contraption or homemade bounce card...... you can't. And even then, the results are less than desireable.

They can be ok depending how well you can bounce and control it. But that won't help in any outdoor situation. anyways.

 

[cgipson1]

I really dislike flash photography.

What you dislike about it, is probably from improper use of it.

Most likely. I've only used an on camera flash while bouncing the light off the ceiling. Other than that, I've only used natural light and studio lighting, which I love.

I can tell when other people have used an OCF and I think it looks horrible. Maybe they're using it improperly too?

I see more bad photos from "Natural" AMBIENT light... than I do flash! Because more people use Ambient light! Because they DONT know know to use flash.. or even use LIGHT period. Once you understand light (and you will learn that more quickly using flash, than otherwise.. since you actually have control over flash!) then it is all good. Of course, there are a lot of bad Flash pictures too... from people don't know how to use it either! It comes down to knowledge and practice, and a willingness to overcome whatever biases one may have for whatever reason, logical or not!