Backlighting help

[abarickman]

I really love the look of a strong back light but I struggle to get the background toned down enough while still getting enough light on my subjects faces. I often see portraits with a couple with the sun in the sky turned to a star and the couple with their faces still seemingly well lit? I know that you can do this with a flash, as I attempted here...



But I would love to be able to achieve this without a flash or reflectors. This is the idea but not executed that well.


Can anyone provide tips on how to improve my technique in this area?

[trelaflip]

Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 30 mm
Exposure: -0.28
ISO Speed: 200

Here's the problem. You hit the max sync speed for exposure so that option is out. Next option is to either drop that ISO to ISO 50 or 100 or make the aperture smaller. Sometime I may be up to f22.

With that said you will need to up the power on your flash or move it in closer.

*tip* this is also a perfect time to use a polarizer since my 5d's max sync speed is 160 that polarizer will give be about 2 more stops.

now without using flashes or reflectors, hdr or composite work would be the real only way around it and making it look actually good.

[kencaleno]

Get a close-up reading off a face-Aperture priority-note settings- return to place you will make shot from-go into manual mode,using the settings you got from close up metering,focus and make your shot If you can't get close for a reading-meter the approx area where a face is and open aperture 2 stops. Regards, Ken

[abarickman]

Thanks guys.

I knew I did not underexpose the sky in the first one enough but was working quickly. Next time I will take my time and figure it out a bit better.

Ken, assuming I am close enough to the subject (so that it fills the spot metering zone, couldn't I also switch to spot metering and achieve the affect you are describing?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by abarickman

Thanks guys.

I knew I did not underexpose the sky in the first one enough but was working quickly. Next time I will take my time and figure it out a bit better.

Ken, assuming I am close enough to the subject (so that it fills the spot metering zone, couldn't I also switch to spot metering and achieve the affect you are describing?

Yes, you can-but not everyone has the spot metering facilty(Canon entry-level Dslrs only have partial metering) Regards, Ken

[abarickman]

Gotcha. Thanks!