Beach Shoot-need advice

[doubleg]

This was my first attempt at portrait photography. What could I have done better in positioning the subjects to reduce the squinting. It seems that the adults were the squinters (regardless of where they were standing in relation to the sun). These were taken around 330pm as the sun was moving to the west.

Camera: D60
Exposure 1/800
Apeture: f/4.8
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 85mm

From Warren Portfolio

[arcusx]

The biggest problem is the lighting. You either needed some fill flash, reflector, or the best thing: wait until about 45 minutes before sunset. The hour before sunset is referred to as "the golden hour" for good reason.

[WooD]

Originally Posted by arcusx

The biggest problem is the lighting. You either needed some fill flash, reflector, or the best thing: wait until about 45 minutes before sunset. The hour before sunset is referred to as "the golden hour" for good reason.

Good advice.

I also live in FL. and do a lot of beach shoots.

I've found the perfect light in just minuets before the sun drops below the horizon. It only gives you a few minuets to shoot, but the light is worth it.

Fill light works well too, but if you can catch the sun at the right time it's perfect.

[doubleg]

Thanks- I will keep that in mind. As far as the reflector, should it be white and where would the best vantage point have been? To their right side (my left)? Like I said,I am new to this and find the people photos the most intriguing to take.

[arcusx]

I've only really used a reflector once or twice. I found it to be difficult to work with at the beach with the wind blowing it all around. You also definitely need an assistant to hold the reflector too. Looks like the wind was already working against you, and perhaps that's as much of why they were squinting; dry eyes?

Having said that, the purpose of the reflector is to add more light to where it's missing, which is on the subjects right, bouncing the light back up from the left. White or gold? Dunno - again, not my area of expertiese. In looking at the shot again, maybe change the WB a bit; seems a bit blue. Also, this time around, I noticed the horizon cutting through dad's head. I'm not sure if it bothers me so much as maybe something to be aware of...

[doubleg]

These lovely people are my neighbors and wanted to use them for practice. At the last minute they invited another family so I was managing two groups. My original plan was to do just as you said, before sundown but with the added three people it threw off my timing and logistics. (sort of like herding cats!) Yes I do think the wind had something to do with the squinting as well as the sun- and that horizon bothers me too. I noticed it as I was editing them. So thank you for pointing that out to me. All in all both families were pleased so I guess that's what mattered to them. But I am determined to learn more- greatly appreciate the input. Happy Holidays!

[photog247]

Reflectors do help. I used one to actually block the light and then use a flash to highlight. I was told long ago , think of different angles , looking up, down, having them sitting on the beach. I use a medium size step ladder to get above my subject. Go crazy and have fun.

[EmmaR]

I'm no pro, but your composition could help a little. it looks like the reason the girl wasn't squinting was because she was fully in shadow.

Try getting down low, or up high or on an angle and shooting them.

Backlighting also works well when you have harsh sun like this. Try some fill flash maybe?

[Benji]

As you have already discovered, you cannot use bright sunshine as your main light source in portraiture because it is too bright. No one looks good when they are squinting. This means you MUST shoot just when the sun dips below the horizon. This is called 'sweet light" and it seems to radiate from everywhere. The entire sky for about 10 minutes is one huge softbox. You will probably not need a reflector, but if you do use a large silver one. Gold is worthless, and white isn't powerful enough to do anything is light as soft as you will have at this time. You will need to take meter readings every few minutes and shoot quickly because you only have about 10 minutes.

Benji

[vesivus]

Originally Posted by Benji

This means you MUST shoot just when the sun dips below the horizon.

I do not agree with some of thise statement -- the sun provides GREAT backlighting or sidelighting, as long as you have enough reflector or flash power to reduce the contrast and fill in the subject in the front.

Here's a couple of pictures from an outdoor wedding I shot at around midday -- the sun is the source of the rim lighting. It was very harsh and required full power from my flash units to fill and counter, but it turned out pretty good:

Of course, squinting is an issue, so if you're using the sun in the FRONT of the subject, then you'll have to manage that. But to the side or back with proper fill, you can shoot at any time. Use a flash or a reflector. It'll change your pictures a lot.

And yes, this usually requires an assistant. If I need it briefly, I'll drag somebody out of the party who isn't in the current picture, or use a friend or fellow photog.



John