Shooting in the shade- having problems with my dynamic range

[johnke93]

Today I went out to take some pictures and I went to a local garden. It was such a pretty place and was in the shade. Today was really sunny, so all my pictures look horrible. The sky is so bright and the rest of the picture is very dark. I need some help even when my exposure is right it seems my pictures have been turning out horrible. Please help- what can I do or use to help get better quality pictures.

 

[Tomasko]

There is no DSLR nowadays which can cover the whole dynamic range of every scene. You need to take pictures with that on mind. You don't want overexposed sky during bright day? Don't include it in your frame along with your model. You can't properly expose for your model and have detailed sky at the same time.
There is a technique which can extend a dynamic range - called HDR - but it isn't possible to use it always, because you'll need for one photo at least 3 different exposures = more MB on your card, slower and somewhat problematic workflow, etc.

 

[johnke93]

would a neutral density filter help?

 

[480sparky68 67]

would a neutral density filter help?

Uh, no. ND's do not change the dynamic range of an image.... they only allow for more 'correct' exposure options.

 

[johnke93]

any other suggestions?

 

[Railphotog]

You might want to try a graduated neutral density filter, they are dark at the top and gradually fade to clear near the middle. They come in neutral, blue and other colors.

 

[480sparky68 67]

Try posting an example.

 

[tirediron]

How about using a flash? You want to reduce the dynamic range, so.... add more light!

 

[johnke93]

DSC03497 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Tomasko]

If you're shooting only landscapes, architecture and similar things (understand "not moving objects"), use either HDR with a tripod or a graduated density filter as Railphotog suggested.

 

[480sparky68 67]

The linked image is overall too dark, not just the tree.

What are the camera settings?

 

[Vtec44]

Based on the EXIF information, Brightness -10, Brightness level -1.

 

[480sparky68 67]

Based on the EXIF information, Brightness -10, Brightness level -1.

Which means......... what?

 

[Vtec44]

Which means......... what?

Whatever it means, brightness has been reduced.

 

[480sparky68 67]

Which means......... what?

Whatever it means, brightness has been reduced.

So, underexposed.

BTW, what's the magic trick to read EXIF data from Flickr images?