How to take photos and make the subject 'pop'?

[terry7cook]

Hi guys, I'm having this problem over and over again and don't really know how to work my way around this.
When I'm taking photos of a couple outdoors I always try to have them between me and the source of light, but when I do that I get really harsh shadows on their face.
It doesn't really help much to just open the shadows in Lightroom, I really have to use a brush and boost the exposure, now it's fine with 5-10 photos but with 400-500 it's getting really time consuming.

I haven't used any flash for fill, and no reflector, just my camera the Canon 1DX (Got her two weeks ago yipeee ) .

What are you suggesting? I'm adding the before and after the use of a brush.

Thanks.

 

[terry7cook]

Forgot to post the photos...
http://imgur.com/5csxwG7
http://imgur.com/pu5dXMm

 

[Scatterbrained]

You need to use a flash or use a reflector. A reflector is easier to learn and use as it's really hard to "overlight" your subject with a reflector.

 

[terry7cook]

You need to use a flash or use a reflector. A reflector is easier to learn and use as it's really hard to "overlight" your subject with a reflector.

I see this answer a lot, without being disrespectful i'm not sure (Because I really don't know) if that is an educated answer and that's what you must do, or it's just the easiest solution available without really understanding light?

 

[Scatterbrained]

You need to use a flash or use a reflector. A reflector is easier to learn and use as it's really hard to "overlight" your subject with a reflector.

I see this answer a lot, without being disrespectful i'm not sure (Because I really don't know) if that is an educated answer and that's what you must do, or it's just the easiest solution available without really understanding light?

Well, I post my work in my sig so when I give advice people can determine for themselves if it's worth listening to.

 

[Designer]

..I always try to have them between me and the source of light..

Why? Where did you learn that? What lighting effect are you trying to achieve?

 

[Scatterbrained]

You need to use a flash or use a reflector. A reflector is easier to learn and use as it's really hard to "overlight" your subject with a reflector.

I see this answer a lot, without being disrespectful i'm not sure (Because I really don't know) if that is an educated answer and that's what you must do, or it's just the easiest solution available without really understanding light?

BTW, if you see that answer a lot, it should tell you something. You're not getting the quality of light you want, and then trying to fix it in post. Light it right in the first place and it won't be an issue. Don't be lazy, use the right tools to get the job done right.

 

[Designer]

You need to use a flash or use a reflector. A reflector is easier to learn and use as it's really hard to "overlight" your subject with a reflector.

I see this answer a lot, without being disrespectful i'm not sure (Because I really don't know) if that is an educated answer and that's what you must do, or it's just the easiest solution available without really understanding light?

Scatterbrained is trying to get you to the next level.

 

[terry7cook]

You probably know this dude right?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...41853.267176239969257&type=1&relevant_count=2
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...41853.267176239969257&type=1&relevant_count=1

I have watched his course, and he is constantly repeating this 'place the subject between you and the light source' ,maybe I didn't get that right? What does it mean?
I know he is not using any kind of equipment for light what so ever when shooting outdoors, so how is he getting such results?

 

[The_Traveler]

There is no magic here.
If he isn't using fill flash or reflectors, he is exposing for the skin tones and letting the background fall where it goes.
These shots probably aren't in full brilliant sun so that the background isn't getting blown out.
He is using the sun as a rim light and the background is also shaded so it doesn't blow out either.

With your camera set to meter on a single point, spend some time metering skin and brilliant side and you'll see where you must expose for the shot.

 

[TheFantasticG]

Looks like he is shooting wide open on all that I looked at on that the Facebook link you linked to. I just looked at the mobile cover photos, that's it. Also, looks like he is exposing the images for the face... Edit: yeah, what traveler said.

 

[Scatterbrained]

You probably know this dude right?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...41853.267176239969257&type=1&relevant_count=2
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...41853.267176239969257&type=1&relevant_count=1

I have watched his course, and he is constantly repeating this 'place the subject between you and the light source' ,maybe I didn't get that right? What does it mean?
I know he is not using any kind of equipment for light what so ever when shooting outdoors, so how is he getting such results?

Cliff actually uses Quantum flashes.
However, shooting one person is different than two, as two people together tend to throw shadows over each other. Beyond that there is more than just "putting the light behind them". You need to have good light reflecting back up into their face as well. If you can't find that you have to make it. Cliff is shooting in open shade with light coming in from behind. In open shade you have nice, even, diffuse light, but you can back the subject up so they catch a rim from the sun. If you don't have open shade you'll need reflectors, or a flash. Sometimes even with open shade you need reflectors or flash; most of the time you can get by with just reflectors however.

 

[terry7cook]

Also, looks like he is exposing the images for the face... Edit: yeah, what traveler said.

Any good article/video/advice on 'how to expose for the face?'

 

[terry7cook]

With your camera set to meter on a single point, spend some time metering skin and brilliant side and you'll see where you must expose for the shot.

Can you please explain what you mean here? Camera set to meter?

 

[Scatterbrained]

You do know how to use the meter on that camera right? Spot meter the face, don't worry about the background. Granted, this assumes you'll have pleasant light.