Preventing Window Blow Out

[SiR2nV]

I am looking for advice on how to prevent windows from looking blown out? Here are some of my images. I would prefer not to do it in Photoshop



Exposure: 0.5
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 14 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV




Exposure: 0.8
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Did not fire

[jojonac]

I would think its pretty hard to expose for the brightness of the window, and the not so bright room. Without having one under exposed or the other over exposed. If you have Photoshop then its a pretty simple process to have the best of both worlds. If not then you will probably have to compromise somewhere between an under exposed room and over exposed window.

[SiR2nV]

Originally Posted by jojonac

I would think its pretty hard to expose for the brightness of the window, and the not so bright room. Without having one under exposed or the other over exposed. If you have Photoshop then its a pretty simple process to have the best of both worlds. If not then you will probably have to compromise somewhere between an under exposed room and over exposed window.

Thanks for your response... I am self taught and Learning from taking lots of photo's Kinda like trail and error... This is one this which drives me crazy... Maybe I should just take a course... hmmmmm

[rae2]

1. Set aperture & shutter for proper exposure of window scene, keeping in mind you'll likely want a large depth of field so that the interior of the room and the outdoor scene will both be in focus.
2. Arrange a strobe on a stand somewhere behind & above the camera, angled to bounce off ceiling with omnidirectional diffuser attached. You'll need a cable or wireless connection to fire the strobe. Fire a test shot and adjust flash output ONLY until the interior is balanced the way you want it compared to the scene through the window.

PS: Set flash to MANUAL output and adjust it manually. Actually, if either camera or flash is set to "Auto" it will complicate your life. Shoot manual for creative photography. "Auto" is for snapshots and those occasions when you can't control lighting and/or action.

[xxpinballxx]

I am moving this thread to the techniques sections.....the Share your shots are only for posting images you want to show off...not to ask advice on how to change something.
I think you will get more help there......

[SiR2nV]

Originally Posted by rae2

1. Set aperture & shutter for proper exposure of window scene, keeping in mind you'll likely want a large depth of field so that the interior of the room and the outdoor scene will both be in focus.
2. Arrange a strobe on a stand somewhere behind & above the camera, angled to bounce off ceiling with omnidirectional diffuser attached. You'll need a cable or wireless connection to fire the strobe. Fire a test shot and adjust flash output ONLY until the interior is balanced the way you want it compared to the scene through the window.

PS: Set flash to MANUAL output and adjust it manually. Actually, if either camera or flash is set to "Auto" it will complicate your life. Shoot manual for creative photography. "Auto" is for snapshots and those occasions when you can't control lighting and/or action.

Thanks for the Advice.. Ya these were taken on Manual... All of my shots are EXIF data always show's auto for some reason...

[wulf]

It's tricky. You need to get more light in the room to balance the illumination but then you risk losing the effect of the light coming through the window and adding a pattern to the image.

You could adjust the exposure to be set more for the windows than for the room but that means the interiors will be very underexposed - cameras can't cope with a wide range of light and shade.

This is a good example of a type of scene where post-processing can actually get you closer to what you remember seeing than a straight-out-of-camera shot. You don't have to go all the way to an overblown HDR effect but can just tip the balance with a couple of suitable exposures blended together.

Wulf

[RoyL]

I was reading a book I use for reference and remember an Interior photographer explaining how to shoot interiors. From memory you need to use fill flash, preferably on a tripod and one you can bounce with. It is then just a matter of shifting, or adjusting your light until you get what you are after. I would suggest that if Not bouncing the light that you place a piece of Baking paper over the front to act as a diffuser so that you keep the shadow detail.

There will also be some settings that you cannot compensate for, and then it is a matter of choosing the desired mood and shoot for that. The shots you have should be easy to get right, they are not extreme just annoying.

im sorry, i have no advice to give...but i just wanted to tell you that i really like these photos, the angles are wonderful!

[Digidave]

Thanks for your response... I am self taught and Learning from taking lots of photo's Kinda like trail and error... This is one this which drives me crazy... Maybe I should just take a course... hmmmmm

The camera doesn't work the same way your eyes do. It has limits & you just found one. Even your eyes have to adjust a little bit when you go from looking at the dark indoors to looking out the window. Try it! You''ll quickly notice that you squint your eyes before they adjust properly & your pupils get smaller.

There are a couple ways to get both, the window & the indoors, equally exposed.

1) Light up the indoors to be closer to the brightness of the window. Use a flash or simply add some room lights. This is the easiest way to get a good shot straight out of the camera.

2) Diffuse the light coming through the window to bring it down to the same brightness as the indoors.

3) Then there is the post-production method. That is called HDR(High Dynamic Range). You would take several shots with your camera. One or more exposed properly for the darker indoors like the ones you have. Then One or more exposed properly for the bright window. You then layer them in post-production. This where it gets more technical & you got some more learning to do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_dynamic_range_imaging

Photomatix

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/hdr.shtml