guesses on how this was shot?

[echoyjeff222]

Hey all,

Wondering -- is this natural light or inserted in PP? If so, would you say the metering was just at the face? I'm just curious because I would have thought the sky/sun would have been totally blown out if only the face was metered. I guess it is sort of blown out, but there's a certain warmness to the blown out portion that makes it actually quite nice.

Sunset.. by Salih ET N 500px

 

[tirediron]

It could have been done in post, but there's no reason to. This is a perfectly realistic looking ambient-light image for the most part; I suspect there's a bit work done, especially around the eyes, but overall, not too difficult to capture.

 

[Dave442]

I would usually try that shot with some fill-light, a touch of flash or reflector. Almost looks like the reflection of a reflector in the right eye. The shutter speed was 1/320 so probably did not use flash. Anyway, thats my guess.

 

[AKUK]

Back light the subject. Used a reflector or softbox with flash to even the exposure somewhat. There is definitely a rectangular catch light in the eyes. I suspect the image was warmed in post, with possibly a fake or colour enhanced flare at least. The face and eyes have definitely received some treatment to smooth the skin and whiten/lighten eyes.

As @tirediron says, it's definitely not impossible to do this in camera. In fact it's very simple. So long as you can get some light back onto the face, you won't end up with underexposure or a silhouette. You can still retain some detail in the hair that is being back lit. Balancing the exposure values of the hair and face is key though. Otherwise you'll have to rely on pushing the limits of the dynamic range of the camera and introducing noise and artefacts by raising the exposure of certain areas of the image afterwards in post production.

 

[echoyjeff222]

So from what I'm gathering, the exposure was made by spot metering the face? Or at least that as a starting point, then playing around to get enough details in the face? I'm just curious how I would be able to do this without any extra equipment like reflectors/soft box

 

[AKUK]

You could use the pop-up flash on the camera as a gentle fill. Preferably with a little warming filter taped to it so that it matches the warmth of the low angle Sun more. If you have a speedlite, you could use a small diffuser than fits on the front, just to soften the fill a little more. I think they are about 22cm and are copies of the Lastolite speedlite softboxes. I have one kicking around the studio somewhere.

 

[TreeofLifeStairs]

You'd more than likely need that equipment to get extra light on her face. Because the strongest light source is coming from behind her, its shadow is right where her face is.

 

[dennybeall]

Looking at the shot again I'm thinking the flare was done in post. Look at her upper chest area - it looks like the light source is straight on there. But then the hair says there is light behind her head, but then there is a flare on her front shoulder. I don't know anymore....

 

[bribrius]

So from what I'm gathering, the exposure was made by spot metering the face? Or at least that as a starting point, then playing around to get enough details in the face? I'm just curious how I would be able to do this without any extra equipment like reflectors/soft box

a mirror reflecting the sun back on her face. Keep it far away if you can so the light is softer.

 

[Vtec44]

It looks all natural light, under exposed to retain highlights and bump up the shadows. The sun looks pretty low on the horizon, about 1hr to 30 minutes before sunset. I don't see any catch lights and the very flat skin tone on the face kind of gave it away.

 

[bribrius]

....

 

[Christabel]

I think perfectly done. b'coz natural sunlight through lady hair and his face are looking fabulous. also blurry background thinking are really nice. so my point of view it's a great shot.

 

[Ron Smith]

I expect the photographer used some fill, maybe a flash with a gel. Easy enough to do and if you look at the other photos in his collection, he has some skills with this type of shot.