Portraits in the sun

13 years 3 months ago #14863 by kearaS852
So I live in sunny Florida. I have a hard time taking portraits outside without the sun over exposing people. What can I do to get the correct exposure?


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13 years 3 months ago #14871 by Solstar
There are a few things you can try.
1) Try applying exposure compensation, I have several lenses I routinely shoot at -1/3, and another that I shoot at +1/3.
2) Try changing your metering mode. If you are using a matrix/average mode the camera meters the entire scene and make a decision on the overall metering. Try using center weighted metering that way the camera will meter off the center (presumably where your subjects are) and hopefully expose them correctly.
3) Try a polarizing filter. This filter can help cut down on some of the glare you might be getting off hair/skin.
If may take some trial and error to find which one or combination of things will help.


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13 years 3 months ago #15013 by kearaS852
Thank you. I will have to try that.


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13 years 3 months ago #15079 by Scotty

kearaS852 wrote: So I live in sunny Florida. I have a hard time taking portraits outside without the sun over exposing people. What can I do to get the correct exposure?


Everybody has tough times shooting mid-day in the sun. Try 30 minutes after sunrise, and 30 minutes before sunset.

When the last candle has been blown out
and the last glass of champagne has been drunk
All that you are left with are the memories and the images-David Cooke.

Photo Comments
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13 years 3 months ago #16664 by Stealthy Ninja

Scotty wrote:

kearaS852 wrote: So I live in sunny Florida. I have a hard time taking portraits outside without the sun over exposing people. What can I do to get the correct exposure?


Everybody has tough times shooting mid-day in the sun. Try 30 minutes after sunrise, and 30 minutes before sunset.


QFT.
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13 years 3 months ago #16723 by photobod
Midday sun such a nasty thing when it comes to portraits, Solstar has given you some very good advice, if possible try finding a little shade from a building or a few trees, a black reflector cud be an option, or as Scotty suggests pick times of day when the sun isnt harsh, I shoot weddings and the sun is a killer when it comes to white dresses, I always have to find some shade if I want detail in the dress, then theres always photoshop, if you shoot in raw you can make a few changes there.:unsure:

www.dcimages.org.uk
"A good photograph is one that communicate a fact, touches the heart, leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." - Irving Penn

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13 years 3 months ago #16969 by Jeffster
You can also get yourself a big white translucent diffuser


Photo Comments
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13 years 3 months ago #17116 by Joves

Jeffster wrote: You can also get yourself a big white translucent diffuser


Or make one easily enough.


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13 years 3 months ago #17171 by Stealthy Ninja

Joves wrote:

Jeffster wrote: You can also get yourself a big white translucent diffuser


Or make one easily enough.


Just wash out the stains from the bedsheet first. :whistle:
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