Over exposed skin?

[AdrenoJunkie]

I'm open to any an all critique of the photo, but mainly I want to know if there is anything I could have done about the over exposed skin on her shoulder. Specifically is there anything I could have done in-camera? Different time of day and light diffusion were not an option. This seems to be a common problem for me. I used spot metering but I'm not sure if I used it right or if I even should have. My understanding of it and its use is questionable.

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 60 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

[BigFuzzy]

Hi Adreno,

It ultimately comes down to the fact that more light is hitting her shoulder than hitting her face and you need to even that out.

You could turn her more into the light as it seems clear to me the light was coming from behind her and camera left which is why it's hotter on her shoulder than face. So turn her so that more of the light hits her face and evens out the imbalance.

Also, you could consider using fill flash which would allow you to darken down the non-flashed elements which would also balance things out.

Move her into the shade?

Your use of spot metering is fine, it's just you need to better place your subject in relation to the light so that the parts not being spot-metered don't get blown out. I have a whole series of shots that I did with simply my 50mm and careful placement of the subjects in the middle of the day (heading towards later in the day by the end of it) and I didn't need to diffuse or use flash, and almost exclusively used spot metering. It did help though that it was overcast which helps diffusing the light... but I also used the shade a lot. Just remember to think about how and where the light is hitting your subject.

I see a tree in the background (right?), so place her in the shadow of that, the light will be nice and even.

I hope these help a bit?

Al

[AdrenoJunkie]

This was from a set of candids I took at a coffeeshop, so moving her around wasn't an option. But she has agreed to let me take photos of her again so then I will definitely take your advice on positioning. Since I do alot of candid portraits, which is why I asked if I could do anything in camera, does that mean I will have to sacrifice composition to re-position myself instead of my subject? And how do I use flash for fill like you were talking about? I just got a 580EXII but havent really figured it out yet.

[RichardTaylor]

This tutorial, from Canon, may help with using fill in flash.

Canon Digital Learning Center - Fill-Flash use with EOS cameras and speedlites

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by AdrenoJunkie

This was from a set of candids I took at a coffeeshop, so moving her around wasn't an option. But she has agreed to let me take photos of her again so then I will definitely take your advice on positioning. Since I do alot of candid portraits, which is why I asked if I could do anything in camera, does that mean I will have to sacrifice composition to re-position myself instead of my subject? And how do I use flash for fill like you were talking about? I just got a 580EXII but havent really figured it out yet.

Ah, I didn't realize it was a candid. Clearly, then you have less control over the subject so you must consider moving yourself. A good candid shooter often scouts a location because it's interesting or whatever, and waits for the subjects to move into the shot. In this case, if you're at a cafe and know you'll take photos there, you could position yourself to take advantage of the light. Even candids can do with a little planning.

Richard gave you a good link about fill-flash, that should get you started. But then, when doing candids, using flash isn't the route you're likely wanting to take heh.

[zona5101]

sometimes there is nothing you can do in camera to make it all balance perfectly.... so you work it in post-processing.

and "sometimes" should probably be replaced with "most of the time."

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by zona5101

sometimes there is nothing you can do in camera to make it all balance perfectly.... so you work it in post-processing.

and "sometimes" should probably be replaced with "most of the time."

Heh, I think "sometimes" and/or "most of the time" should be replaced with "a very few times if you don't put yourself in the right situation".

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Heh, I think "sometimes" and/or "most of the time" should be replaced with "a very few times if you don't put yourself in the right situation".

I'm not sure i follow... are you saying you rarely do any post processing?

I understand that getting it right in camera allows for the best chance of sucess.... but in the same breath, as in this poster's situation, sometimes you can't manipulate your enviornment perfectly. In the example image posted, the best choice would be to burn down the shoulder.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by zona5101

I'm not sure i follow... are you saying you rarely do any post processing? I understand that getting it right in camera allows for the best chance of sucess.... but in the same breath, as in this poster's situation, sometimes you can't manipulate your enviornment perfectly. In the example image posted, the best choice would be to burn down the shoulder.

Since we are talking about exposure.. yes, i rarely do any processing in regards to exposure issues.
Other issues, yes, of course I do processing, sometimes lots. I wasn't talking photos in general, just in regards to exposure and taking advantage of the available light, which is what we were talking about.

I would argue that since he said "This seems to be a common problem for me" it's more an issue of technique rather than fixing it in PP, which is what I was suggesting by noting he should scout the location of his candids and place himself in the best position to take advantage of the available light.

Though I can see how you'd think I was talking processing in general, I should have been clearer.

[AdrenoJunkie]

Originally Posted by zona5101

I'm not sure i follow... are you saying you rarely do any post processing?

I understand that getting it right in camera allows for the best chance of sucess.... but in the same breath, as in this poster's situation, sometimes you can't manipulate your enviornment perfectly. In the example image posted, the best choice would be to burn down the shoulder.

And how would I go about burning down the shoulder? In the future I will be more aware of my environment in regards to light, But to salvage the ones I've taken, what are my PP options? I tried levels and exposure adjustments but to no avail. Of course I'm not very adept with photoshop just yet.