Beach.

[Bryanfdz]

I was recently contacted by a girl for a photoshoot at the beach.
Problem is, I've never shot there.
She wants Full Body Shots.
Can you guys help me out with exposure numbers and anything else that would be usefull knowing?

BTW, Im gonna use a Canon Rebel XS.
Its gonna be 75 degrees and Semi Cloudy.
And it will be at a Pier.

[OsmosisStudios]

Use the exposure that works?

I dont know why so many people are so concentrated on the idea that there are somehow some MAGIC NUMBERS for exposure in a given circumstance.

[Bryanfdz]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Use the exposure that works?

I dont know why so many people are so concentrated on the idea that there are somehow some MAGIC NUMBERS for exposure in a given circumstance.

Thanks for the Sarcasm..
-_-

[BigFuzzy]

As much as I understand you not liking the sarcasm.. the problem is you basically asked us "how do I take a photo on a beach" and it's just not something we can so easily tell you what to do without knowing more from you. Like what do you actually know? Do you know how to shoot on anything but Full Auto?

It'd help us a lot to know what other kit you have as well, particularly if you have any flash(es) and if you know how to use them? What lenses do you have? Do you have someone that could hep you, so that we know whether or not to suggest a reflector.
Do you know the time of day or do you want suggestions? Do you know how to use WB?

Personally, seeing as you appear to be pretty new to all this, I would suggest the following to avoid shooting on full auto with pop-up flash:

Shoot in AV
Start shooting as wide open as you can (small f/number) to get a shutter speed at minimum of 1/60th (for you, I imaging 1/100th would be better)
Start shooting at 100iso (change as the light dictates to keep that 1/100th shutter speed)
Use flash, off-camera is best, on-camera fill if not possible. Straight on fill flash is likely to be better than nothing unless the light is great and you know how to compose your model to take advantage of it. Too difficult for us to know. That's why it's so difficult for us to give you "exposure numbers"..

Things you should know how to do.
Know how to compensate your exposure (either by changing settings or using "exposure compensation" on camera. If you have no idea what I mean, Read The Manual).
Know how to use spot metering to expose for the model, because at beaches, especially if you're not using flash/fill light.. you often have lighting extremes you need to compensate for.
Know how to use flash or at least how to best utilize the sun you'll have (as well as possibly how to use a reflector).

If you stick to using auto, and the images aren't great, you'll not know how to change them or what the problem is, so don't rely on using auto.

How much time do you have to get ready?

#1 thing, is be prepared. Know what you're going to do pose and composition wise. Have some ideas ready before you leave! If you show up with a "wing it" attitude, you'll spend a lot of your time thinking of what to do instead of doing it. She'll get the (truthful) idea you have no idea what you're doing, and she'll be uncomfortable and the images will reflect that. Go through sites like flickr and find images/poses you like and think ahead of time how you'd pull that off.

In the end, if I told you f/8 1/125th ISO100, would you know what to do if that didn't work? That's why it's difficult for us to give you "exposure numbers"
I hope this helps!
Al

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Bryanfdz

Thanks for the Sarcasm..
-_-

Not sarcasm: that was a genuine serious response.

[Dartmoor Snapper]

Originally Posted by Bryanfdz

Thanks for the Sarcasm..
-_-

You really will have to get used to that.

[candleman]

every situation is different.. Osmosis is right.

Big Fuzzy offered some good advise.. main thing is to use a reflector.. or shoot near something that will offer natural fill light. (like a concrete wall)

[Sime]

Bryan - How'd it turn out?

If it didn't work so well - good idea to post a couple here with exif and people could help tell you where you might have gone wrong.

Sime

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by Sime™

Bryan - How'd it turn out?
If it didn't work so well - good idea to post a couple here with exif and people could help tell you where you might have gone wrong.
Sime

Beuller? Beuller??
Any word on how things went Bryan.. or any reply? We feel invested, would be nice to have some feedback.. youknow?