Portraits at sunset - not easy for newbies!

[cshine]

Hello, I'm very new here. I think this website is great and I've been lurking in the wings for many months. But now I have a question! How does one get a balanced exposure when shooting portraits against the sunset? The sky is almost immediately overexposed OR the subject is too dark.. any ideas? Here are some shots I took over the weekend that illustrate the problem..



Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/3.5
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire



Camera: Canon EOS 350D Digital
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 85 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire


Thanks!!

[kitkrusher]

Your shutter speed might have been a little too fast for the light that was available when you shot theses pics.....try taking it down to 1/80-1/100......

[equilution]

Welcome to DPS, CShine!! First thing I'd suggest is fill-flash with a warm filter on the lens (or do it in post-processing). I think flashes are underused in outdoor shooting. Especially with the sun to the subject's back, because you're not going to get any decent ambient light on their face...unless you carry a 20sqft mirror behind you to reflect it back onto them!

...my two cents. Again, welcome to DPS!! This is a great place to be!!!

PS...love the composition in the second one!!

[gottasnap]

I would have to agree about the flash. The childrens faces would brighten up and the background would not be washed out. But I can still see the children are adorable.

[cshine]

Thanks for the replies (and the compliments!). I didn't even think of using the flash.. it really wasn't that dark, but I understand now how this would have helped. I'll try that the next time.

The challenging part about this "shoot" was trying to keep the kids away from barbed wire and fire ant nests while crawling around on my knees to frame the shot (prime lens) so its going to take some practice to do all that and tune the shutter speed etc. too!

Thanks again!

[equilution]

Originally Posted by cshine

Thanks for the replies (and the compliments!). I didn't even think of using the flash.. it really wasn't that dark, but I understand now how this would have helped. I'll try that the next time.

The challenging part about this "shoot" was trying to keep the kids away from barbed wire and fire ant nests while crawling around on my knees to frame the shot (prime lens) so its going to take some practice to do all that and tune the shutter speed etc. too!

Thanks again!

Regardless of how much light is out there...even mid-day, fill flash can have amazing results. Try it next time you're out and about in the noon sunshine. Take 2 pics of the same subject where there are shadows on the face---one with flash, one without and look at the difference.

...trust me...I'm a doctor!! (famous last words)

[shellie20]

Welcome to DPS! You will learn HEAPS of stuff here!! I certainly have!
Would have to agree with what everyone has said re fill-flash. But besides that, I love these pics! Those kids are sooooo cute! Thanks for sharing (TFS).

[cshine]

Originally Posted by equilution

...trust me...I'm a doctor!! (famous last words)

Will do - I have a Speedlite that I've been completely neglecting so I'll try using that more during the daytime. I'll try a few filters too to tone down the "whiteness" of the fill-in.

Originally Posted by shellie20

Welcome to DPS! You will learn HEAPS of stuff here!! I certainly have!
Would have to agree with what everyone has said re fill-flash. But besides that, I love these pics! Those kids are sooooo cute! Thanks for sharing (TFS).

Thanks Shellie! I'm still slightly shocked at the warmth of the welcome. I think I'll stick around for a while I quite like the first shot despite it's flaws - it's like the little girl is kind of toying with her friend and he's in the background just trying to figure out whats going on!

[ukglyn]

Great shots, I would also agree that a bit of fill flash would help with your question.
tfs

[SoxAddict]

Beautiful shots though! And I too love the composition of the 2nd one, gorgeous.