Sunlight photography

[Emma0911]

Im new to shooting portraits outside and I'm struggling with direct sunlight shots. Whats the best way to take photos when shade isn't an option? Are an external flash and shooting from the side my only options?

Thanks

 

[unpopular]

The issue with the sun isn't so much the sun, but rather the shadows - more precisely, the amount of light in the full lit portion relative to the shaded portion. I think that the "move over to the shade" solution to bright sun, is a bit fauxtographic - and I roll my eyes a bit whenever I see "pros" insisting upon it.

The solution is to find some way to lessen the extremes between the lit and shaded portion of the subject. There are a number of ways to do this, external fill flash is one. Depending on the situation, you may also use reflectors to brighten the shaded portion, or a scrim to diffuse the sunlight.

But full sun isn't inherently negative, it's just a matter of knowing how to work with it and how to meter for it.

 

[scorpion_tyr]

Don't underestimate the pop up flash. Try this neat trick in harsh sunlight: Go to Manual mode, adjust your aperture to f/22, ISO 200, and shutter speed to 1/250. Now pop up your flash, go into the menu and adjust the flash exposure compensation to +2 stops. Now get about 4-6 feet from your subject. If it's sunrise or sunset put the sun right behind your subject. Now focus and take the picture. Might be suprised by the results ;-)

 

[rokvi]

Or you could use an ND filter with the flash.

 

[unpopular]

^^What the???? That wouldn't work!

 

[KmH]

For outdoor shoots photographers often make their own shade. They use a diffusion panel of an appropriate size to make the open shade they need. The panel can be held by an assistant, or help in place withstands.

At any rate, doing quality portraiture requires much more gear than just a camera and lens. Lighting, reflectors, diffusion panels, light stands, weights to keep stands in place, gels for the lighting, and other gear are needed.

 

[sovietdoc]

^ Yeah, I wish I had assistants.

 

[ronlane]

Don't underestimate the pop up flash. Try this neat trick in harsh sunlight: Go to Manual mode, adjust your aperture to f/22, ISO 200, and shutter speed to 1/250. Now pop up your flash, go into the menu and adjust the flash exposure compensation to +2 stops. Now get about 4-6 feet from your subject. If it's sunrise or sunset put the sun right behind your subject. Now focus and take the picture. Might be suprised by the results ;-)

That sounds interesting. I'm going to have to try this today.

 

[ronlane]

scorpion_tyr

I got home and tried these settings that you suggested. Here are the two shots that I took. I didn't get the sun directly behind her because I was getting the spots on her face. I cloned out the couple that I got.

Was this what you were talking about or close?


IMG_4942 by Ron_Lane, on Flickr


IMG_4941 by Ron_Lane, on Flickr

 

[SCraig]

scorpion_tyr

I got home and tried these settings that you suggested. Here are the two shots that I took. I didn't get the sun directly behind her because I was getting the spots on her face. I cloned out the couple that I got.

Was this what you were talking about or close?


IMG_4942 by Ron_Lane, on Flickr


IMG_4941 by Ron_Lane, on Flickr

Look at your histogram. You're at least a full stop underexposed.

 

[rokvi]

^^What the???? That wouldn't work!

Actually it would.

 

[unpopular]

No, it wouldn't.

The ND filter will cut light from the fill as well as the ambient by equal proportion, you'd see no effect except requiring greater exposure.

 

[ronlane]

Is this better?


IMG_4942 edit by Ron_Lane, on Flickr

 

[unpopular]

She still looks like a hellion to me.

 

[orb9220]

Yep much better Ron Lane! Secret for shooting sun at subjects back in positioning subject and fill flash for best results.

Well done Ron and keep practicing the technique until it's second nature.
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