Portraits and Sun

[Kaye]

Below is a photograph I took today of a neighbors little girl. Some of the other can be seen on my flickr for anyone that has a few minutes to give me some advise.

I would really like some opinions and any advise on what I could have done better today with the sun. I used the flash in the shade for the first time and liked the results, but I still am having some trouble with the sun being on only 1/2 or 1/3 of the face.

Thanks

[Chuckn]

Cute girl, I am new at this but I think you should try to face her to the sun and wait until a little over cast. This way you will not get as much shade and the flash will light up her whole face. I may be wrong but this is what this is about Learning.

[Kaye]

Thanks Chuckn, I did take a few in the shade with the flash. That was actually my first time trying it like that and I liked the results pretty good. We were in the middle of the yard and I couldn't seem to position her anyway that the sun didn't hit her somewhere in the face and I just didn't know how to photograph it.
The others are at:
Flickr: Kaye1963's Photostream

Thanks again.

[zona5101]

Shooting in direct sun is very dificult to avoid harsh, deep shadow. Even with fill flash the difference between the highlight and shadow is significant. If you face them into the sun they squint, if you face them away from the sun you get the background blown out, lens flare or underexposure (if you don't remember to + your exp comp). Still if you have to, having their back to the sun wil probably give you the best chance for sucess. Might have to add some fill flash too. Best to avoid direct sun when possible., find some even shade or even use sometype of translucent gobo...

[vjhoward]

Couple thoughts:
1 - use a reflector to bounce light back into face vs. fill flash. This will help you plan a solid exposure.
2 - A diffuser from above would soften the harsh sun.

There are some good, short videos by Bryan Peterson on YouTube that may help you learn more about this.

I struggle with this also. Most of the opportunity I get to shoot is mid-day with my kids outside. I am always looking for shaded areas to get them into (i.e. under a tree canopy, on a porch, etc.). DIrect sun is so difficult, but manageable.

Keep shooting and learning. That is what this is all about!

[vjhoward]

By the way just checked your photostream on Flickr. Better control of harsh sunlight on the other shots. Also, I really like the low perspective in this shot:

Little "Ms B" on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The vibrance of the grass, the little girl, and decent bokeh makes this a photo a mom would love. A little cleanup for exposure in post processing and you have a real winner with a mom.

[Benji]

I used to shoot in bright sunshine rather frequently and it is really quite easy and simple. I get about six or eight people together to hold the 12 x 12 white diffuser that is attached to poles that is used to soften the overhead sunshine then several more people to hold a couple of reflectors and sometimes a couple more assistants to hold the umbrellas in the wind. The umbrellas are needed to soften the flash tubes of the powerful studio strobes so if you have 10 or 12 people who have nothing to do on a hot sunny day go for it. Otherwise I suggest finding a nice cool spot in the shade and shoot away. (You can tell your 12 assistants to stay home.)

Benji

[Kaye]

Thanks everyone for your help and advise. vjhoward, when you say "cleanup for exposure" do you mean try to darken, do away with a little of the brightness, or ??.....also, glad you like the other photo. I'm still learning about light, etc and always appreciate it when I think i've accomplished something.

Benji: I think i'll follow the last part of your advise and look for some shade. Finding 12 of my (even closest) friends to outside and hold umbrella's, etc for me on a hot day here in the south might be impossible (not to mention getting them to do it for free).

Thanks again everyone.

[vjhoward]

Cleanup for exposure: This is what I call something I have recently discovered also, using levels and curves to make adjustment. I am a newbie in all of this (expecially the post-processing) and have found the ability to make detailed histogram adjusment extremely helpful. Also, you could dodge some of the darker areas on the face to light them up a abit. Hope this is helpful.