Help - Portraits in bright sunlight ?

richpips

richpips

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Rich
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I tried taking some pics of the kids on a bright sunny day. Try as I might the only way I managed to get some shots of them with out them scrunching up their eyes, was by using a reflector in between the sun and them!
See below.

Any tips on shooting in bright sunlight much appreciated.

Ta Rich

 
Don't is the best advice. Too much contrast and squinting will result. When possible move to the shade of a building or tree(s). Failing that shoot with the sun behind them, expose for their skin and let the highlights blow.

edit to add an example

IMG_6115.jpg
 
pxl8 said:
Don't is the best advice. Too much contrast and squinting will result. When possible move to the shade of a building or tree(s). Failing that shoot with the sun behind them, expose for their skin and let the highlights blow.

edit to add an example

IMG_6115.jpg
Click to expand...

In the example did you use a reflector at the front, or additional lighting?
 
Rich,

I had this issue yesterday.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=138244

Way too bright, but I think that when you have to get shots, then you have to think fast. I put the sun behind them or two the side to create natural powerful rim lighting. I pushed the exposure a tad as well. As PLX8 says ideally dont, but it is not as easy as that.

I suppose the other thing is to use a reflector as a gobo with the black side shutting out excess light.

Pete.
 
Diego Garcia said:
Rich,

I had this issue yesterday.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=138244

Way too bright, but I think that when you have to get shots, then you have to think fast. I put the sun behind them or two the side to create natural powerful rim lighting. I pushed the exposure a tad as well. As PLX8 says ideally dont, but it is not as easy as that.

I suppose the other thing is to use a reflector as a gobo with the black side shutting out excess light.

Pete.
Click to expand...
OK cheers. I'll go and give it another go while the sun is shining. :)
 
I'd do what pxl8 did. Move into your subject and fill the viewfinder with a face. Press the exposure lock button if using AV, or if using manual, balance the display for the face. Move back to the required position and take your shot. This produces nicely exposed shots with very flattering rim lighting around the hair from the back lighting.

This method isn't so good around noon when the sun is right overhead as you tend to get a large area of burned out hair on top of the heads, rather than that nice rim light. In that situation I'd move into the shade if possible and use fill flash.
 
Here you go. Taken 5 minutes ago. Suggestions implemented. Plus reflector front low.

Thanks for your help. :)



 
Also with pxl8 on this.. its a bit of a myth nowerdays that the sun has to be behind the cameraman.. and never moreso than portraits or in my case team shots... with the sun behind then the faces are straight and better still ....no shadows.. no fill light needed.. just get the exposure right and its a winner.
 
Nice result there. Try it again a bit later when the sun is lower in the sky for some really nice rimlight.
 
Personally, If it were to be insisted that I take a portrait under a high sun, a large diffuser and additional reflector is what I'd go for if possible.

Admittedly group portraits would be much more problematic and also if assistance was not avalalble.

For a couple or an individual this method is very effective and a great option to consider.

Here's an example pic from a buddy of mine, Henrik.

110-1.jpg


Taken during peak season (June/July in Finland) and midday.
The sun's direction was in front of the couple and behind Henrik, the diffuser on the left and the pale gold reflector was on the right.

If it was just head shots then a much smaller diffuser and reflector combo could be gotten away with too.
 
I have this problem (?) a lot here, almost always end up in the shade but will try some of the advice here to get some more light on the face.

3493082891_437b905a32.jpg
 
richpips said:
In the example did you use a reflector at the front, or additional lighting?
Click to expand...

Sorry been away from the desk. No additional help from reflector or flash.

I tend to ignore the rules for a technically good exposure that your typical camera club judge will look for. I just expose the subject correctly and let everything else do it's own thing. It will get people screaming you've blow the highlights, lost the shadows, etc. but I really don't care. All that matters is capturing the moment I saw as I saw it :thumbs:
 
Make it from PVC tube and elbow joints and it'll pull apart easily :thumbs:

You can run shockcord through the tubes and it'll almost self-assemble!
 
blinkerz said:
i so want a sunbounce, but doesnt look very portable :)
Click to expand...

A dab of fill-flash works almost as well a lot of the time, but if you have an army of assistants, big reflectors can turn really harsh and difficult bright sun into something really rather wonderful.
 
HoppyUK said:
A dab of fill-flash works almost as well a lot of the time, but if you have an army of assistants, big reflectors can turn really harsh and difficult bright sun into something really rather wonderful.
Click to expand...

Only, we're talking about diffusing the harsh light and reflecting a smidgeon for hairlight.
 
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