Low Dynmaic Range

[Qbert-PNS]

How could I have taken this shot of them flying a kite and gottten then to POP in the picure?
This shot was taken of the gang at Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach today. The weather was VERY gray. The water was turnd up pretty good with a 20 kt wind (also very gray compared to it's normal EMERALD Green).
Thanks,


Camera Model Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Firmware Firmware 1.0.3
Shooting Date/Time 5/2/2010 2:52:57 PM
Owner's Name
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/1000
Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 200
Lens 70.0 - 300.0 mm
Focal Length 240.0 mm
Image Size 3456x2304
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Cloudy
AF Mode AI Focus AF
Parameters Settings Contrast Mid. High
Sharpness Mid. High
Color saturation Mid. High
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Noise Reduction Off
File Size 2141 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting
Date/Time(UTC) 19:52:57
Latitude 30 19 00 N
Longitude 87 15 00 W
Altitude 2.00m
Geographic coordinate system WGS 1984
Camera Body No. 3420711746

[FocalFrenzy]

All I did to this was applied the "Auto White-balance" adjustment in GIMP.

Your EXIF data says that you had your whitebalance set to manual. For really overcast days I use a gray-card to set a custom WB, so that I don't have to fix it in post. What editing program do you use?

[Qbert-PNS]

I have PSe (don't reallty know how to use it). I though it would be better to use the CLOUDY WB in the camera. I have a gray card and use it all the time on my indoor pics of completed projects. It's the only way to deal with the mix of lighting. SO... I sould use my card outside and forget the camera WB options?
Thanks for the comment.

[FocalFrenzy]

I wouldn't "forget" about the different options, but sometimes (especially if it's misty or hazy outside), custom is the only way to go. If you shoot in RAW, you can adjust the WB later to whatever gives you the best results.

[Qbert-PNS]

Today I shot in both jpg and RAW. Moreso to get some stuff to play withe and stuble over in PSe.

[kleidascope]

Even if this was jpg in PS you should be able to adjust the WB to make it pop.

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Qbert-PNS

How could I have taken this shot of them flying a kite and gottten then to POP in the picure?

You can start by using PSE Enhance | Adjust Lighting | Levels... to boost the overall contrast.

[Qbert-PNS]

Thank you for the advice. I am trying to get it as colse to right with the shot vs. in software. I know I have a long way to go. I desicibe this as "MY GOLF" the quest ofr the perfect shot. and I am still shooting in the 150s.


Thank you all for the advice. Look forward to putting up another one in the future.

Resepctfully,

Q