How to get a sun-shiny, illuminated picture like the pros take.. =)

[MK3Brent]

It's like having your flash....on a STEEEKK!

 

[pgriz]

Well, once you know what you're doing, things are pretty basic. However, getting to that point may take both lots of learning and a bit of equipment ("bit" is somewhat understated). Quite a bit of learning applies to understanding how to "read" sources of light (primary source, secondary source, etc), and deciding when additional light (from flash(es) or reflectors) is needed and in what proportion. That's what makes a photo "pop" - the light brings out the best of the subject. The light colour determines if it is reddish, bluish or neutral, the light intensity determines how much light we have to work with, the light size determines whether the shadows are hard or very soft. The light direction is also important to determine where the shadows and highlights will appear. The balance between multiple sources generally determines the dimensionality of the subject relative to the background, and the apparent three-dimensional shape of the subject.

I don't disagree with anything you have said above, but it depends on the photography that you are doing, as well as the time and equipment that you have available to set up. If you are working with models and you have "control", then you have an advantage over public relations or journalistic events where you have little or no control and the need to get the shot when it happens, irrespective of ideal lighting. Different needs require different methods and approaches.

skieur

The knowledge and skill needed to do a photojournalistic shoot that you are referring to is several orders of magnitude higher than what I was addressing in my comment to the OP. I've seen good photojournalists work and have talked to them about the actual process, and they have to stop and think a little about the mechanics because they have the technique down to the subconscious level. Being able to compose a shot that tells a story, while being jostled by other photographers and participants in the event, with little or no control over the light, and still get a shot that ends up on the front page of a major daily or newmag, is a skill that I can admire and aspire to, but I'm very far away from that level of mastery over technique. My comment was for the baby steps...

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Monolights FTW

Eggzackly! It's like having Sunshine on a Stick!

Indeed, and at a perfect/consistent Kelvin every pop