Sunset model photos settings question and example

[robdog]

So I took these of my gf on Davis Island Florida during an amazing sunset but theres a problem..
I FORGOT WHICH SETTINGS I USED TO DO SO !!

I love how the background is dark yet lit up at the same time and even more how Camey stands out from it with the flash not being to dull or to bright.

I'm using a CANON REBEL XS with THE STANDARD LENS that came with it when I bought it.

Another girl has asked recently for photos like this and I want to use the best possible settings while shooting during sunset with nothing but my camera andthe model. Is there a place online anyone can suggest or a book perhaps that deals strictly with model shoots on the beach at sunset/sunrise ?

THANKS AS ALWAYS TO EVERYONE FOR THE HELP!!
This site is truly amazing and were lucky to have it.

[pegger]

I am sure you can check the EXIF data from the original image and that will tell what settings were used. You can use fill flash to make sure its not too bright or dull and adjust your shutter speed/ISO if required. Seems like you are using a higher aperture number (small aperture). Do some homework before the actual shoot.

Have fun with your photo shoot!

[oldwolf]

Don't know of any books but what you can do is take a few pictures of the sunset before putting the model in front of the camera to test out your settings. Put it in Tv mode and set your shutter speed around 1/100th (pulling numbers out of a hat here) to see what kind of f/stop it gives you and if the sunset looks the way you want it to. Adjust the shutter speed up or down depending on how saturated you want the sunset to be.

After you get the settings the way you want it then you can still stay in Tv mode and throw the flash on the camera and put the model in front of the camera. Take a few pics letting the E-TTL do it's thing. Look real quick at the screen to see what you get. If it's close then tweak your exposure compensation up or down to where you want the picture exposed.

If that doesn't work then go full manual with the shutter speed that you discovered was right for the sunset. Put in the f/stop of the shot closest to what you want. Now if the picture that was close has the model too bright or over exposed then increase your f/stop (smaller opening). If the model was underexposed or too dark then decrease your f/stop (larger opening).

Instead of tweaking your f/stop to expose the model correctly you could also tweak the flash power too. Just depends on what look your going for I guess.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[swordfish]

amazing shots mate.. loved the orange sunset...

[robdog]

THANKS PEGGER!! (will check my original image when home tonight)
THANKS TO YOU FOR THE GREAT COMMENTS FISH!!

Wolf I have to tell ya man..
I feel like I should be PAYING YOU for all of your great advice!! LOL
I STILL USE what you taught me in my wrestling photos when shooting at shows...

I cant thank you enough for taking time to help me with all this stuff. Theres so much to learn and Im loving doing so!

RB

[rediguana]

These sort of shoots get covered a fair bit on strobist. It is all about balancing the flash to the ambient light in the background. Often times what you do is set the camera exposure to get the background as you desire e.g. underexposed and good colour saturation, and then you manually adjust the flash power to light the subject. The trick is that the settings will vary from shoot to shoot depending on the lighting, and the ambient light changes quickly during sunset, so you may have to adjust it as you go.

[lionslair]

Very nice shots