Portrait in sunset

[rkinsey]

I took this the other night and wanted to get some feedback on it.



Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.077 sec (1/13)
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 26 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Return detected

I have about three other pictures in the set to be looked at also if you would not mind.

thanks

[CheaperKings]

I'd say it's just the lighting is a little off. Also, it looks like it was shot against a screen/backdrop...is it?

[djase1]

Maybe it was the flash, but he does look like he is pasted on a picture of a sunset. Neat idea, but it just doesn't work for me.

[zona5101]

You need to bring your flash exposure up a bit more (aperture). You are underexposed. You could stand to let in a little more ambient light (shutter speed) as well because all that dark space isn't very interesting.

[Chip]

If you're using TTL flash, then I recommend putting the camera in manual and (1) spot metering on the sky (2) underexposing by about 1 stop (3) then reframe the shot for your subject. The TTL flash will make up the difference in exposure on you subject and the sky should look the right amount of dark.

You likely will need to adjust the power on the flash down a bit - maybe 0.7 or 1.0.

Also, maybe take the photo a bit earlier, so that there's more light in the sky? I see you were already shooting in manual, so this might be the variable that could be changed.

Good luck.

zona - if he's using TTL, can't he control the ambient with aperture, shutter and/or ISO? Stated differently, doesn't the "control flash with aperture and ambient with shutter" just apply when flash is in manual?

[sunvalley23]

One way to fix the out-of-place look would be to shoot a bit earlier...when the sun is still setting, of course, but when it's not *quite* so dark. It'll help keep the background and subject a little closer in lighting temperature, even when using a flash.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by Chip

zona - doesn't the "control flash with aperture and ambient with shutter" just apply when flash is in manual?

Good question. humm. I guess I never thought to try it letting the camera control the flash. (brief pause...)
Ok I tried it - yes, the flash must be in manual. Excellent clarification.

One i did earlier this year when it was still warm outside

[kornbread]

I'd like to comment a little on some of the other aspects of the image. I'm assuming that you were testing out an exposure, so some of these things aren't entirely relevant, but I do think they are worth bringing up.

1-The wardrobe could be a bit more complimentary to the scenery. Again, it looks like you were doing some trial runs with a flash, but proper exposure is only part of the equation.
2-The pose is a bit bland. I generally prefer to see more character, or something a bit more relevant to the scene.
3-Is your flash mounted on your camera? It looks like it is. Try to get it off camera somehow. PC cord, flash triggers, something. The foreground subject looks really flat, and 2D because of where the light is. I'd think something camera left a few feet would be more interesting.

Again, it looks like you were out practicing exposure settings, but I thought I'd bring this up anyway.

[daddyoproductions]

Lots of shots with people in the sunset and flash used look cut and pasted, shooting earlier makes sense, thanks for the tip
~C

[CheaperKings]

If you look at the other pix he has posted, you'll see he is definately shooting against a screen/backdrop because the one pix where he is looking to his right clearly shows a shadow being cast on the background. That being said, I'd say your subject was standing too close to the screen and your camera was too close to the subject. Probably shot in a very small area.