How to achieve proper lighting

[BeckiM]

I've got great lighting for the background of this image, but how can I get good lighting on the faces of people in the forefront? This is the original photo.

[Major_Small]

The best way would be either a reflector or fill flash.

[RussHeath]

Hi Becki! Cute shot, and well composed. Do you know if the flash fired in this shot? It doesn't look like it, and this is one of those scenes that usually will not activate the auto flash, so you have to turn it on yourself. That will fill in the shadows of the boys' faces (hence "fill flash") and even out the exposure of the picture.

Alternately, as Major said, you could hold a reflector of some sort just out of the frame in front of them which would bounce a lot of light back into their faces and accomplish the same thing. Sounds like a pain, but it's easy when you get used to it. I have a reflective tarp that I hike with which serves double duty as a picnic blanket and reflector . . . and I wonder why the pack is always so heavy?

[oldwolf]

i'd have to suggest using a fill flash or reflector as well. i usually carry a collapsible one with me that folds up and hangs off my camera bag.

if you're looking for pp (post processing) then i'd suggest trying to dodge the people with about a 50 opacity to see how that works for you.

overall it's nice composition. where was it taken if i may ask?

[lputman]

I would like to add a comment on the composition. There's a tree growing out of the head of the adult. You actually a natural frame that could have been used between that tree and the group of trees had they moved about 2 steps to the left.