Landscape guy trying people

[DonT]

I’m trying to get back in to photographing people and these are some first attempts. I did notice some blown out areas and I respect your feedback and suggestions. The lighting was natural with an attempt at a fill on the first one, but my poor 580ex was no match for the sun light. The other 3 were just available light.

[Les K]

I like this series. I don't see any large areas of overexposure on the model other than her right hand and the book page in #1 the background has great use of DOF

[hfllaser]

The first is the best...I like the compostion and the processing...second one is too low an angle for me...looking up her nose...not flattering. The others could use some fill light to lighten her face.

[DonT]

Originally Posted by hfllaser

The first is the best...I like the compostion and the processing...second one is too low an angle for me...looking up her nose...not flattering. The others could use some fill light to lighten her face.

Thanks

I felt the same was about second one.

Here are 2 more, color and BW.

[Benji]

If possible DO NOT shoot between the hours of about 10AM to 5PM (summertime) if the sun is out. If you must shoot during those hours and the sun is out like you have above find some shade. If there is no shade put the sun behind her so it will be a hair and background light and use an off camera flash in a softbox or umbrella.

Benji

[DonT]

Originally Posted by Benji

If possible DO NOT shoot between the hours of about 10AM to 5PM (summertime) if the sun is out. If you must shoot during those hours and the sun is out like you have above find some shade. If there is no shade put the sun behind her so it will be a hair and background light and use an off camera flash in a softbox or umbrella.

Benji

Thanks Benji

Time was not my choice but I was hoping for some overcast, I do live in Seattle after all. I had a Canon 580ex flash off camera and a shot through umbrella but it couldn’t over power the sun. In cases like this would shooting bare flash be better (hindsight)? I also found some shade under a bridge, see above. I think the flash would have helped there but I had left back at the car before we got to this spot. I definitely need more practice!

[Benji]

I don't know of any D/C powered flash that can "overpower" the sun. The "internet pros" repeatedly brag about how they use high speed synch to "overpower the sun" in portraiture but when pressed for an image they present a horribly flat lit nearly black background image that looks like some 10 year old shot 30 years ago with a Kodak Brownie.

What you are attempting to do is very difficult and takes lots of knowledge and experience to pull it off well. I can do it but I've got 30 years behind the camera. The image below was shot with an off camera flash on a light stand with a homemade light modifier. I suggest heading for the shade and forget the sunshine pix until you get better.

Benji

[RV]

Originally Posted by Benji

If possible DO NOT shoot between the hours of about 10AM to 5PM (summertime) if the sun is out. If you must shoot during those hours and the sun is out like you have above find some shade. If there is no shade put the sun behind her so it will be a hair and background light and use an off camera flash in a softbox or umbrella.

Benji

From experience, your time frames can not be applied to all areas. I thin you are referring to the CONUS but I dunno

Originally Posted by DonT

Thanks Benji

Time was not my choice but I was hoping for some overcast, I do live in Seattle after all. I had a Canon 580ex flash off camera and a shot through umbrella but it couldn’t over power the sun. In cases like this would shooting bare flash be better (hindsight)? I also found some shade under a bridge, see above. I think the flash would have helped there but I had left back at the car before we got to this spot. I definitely need more practice!

Why not use a diffuser and take advantage of the natural light?

[DonT]

Originally Posted by OrionPhotograph

From experience, your time frames can not be applied to all areas. I thin you are referring to the CONUS but I dunno



Why not use a diffuser and take advantage of the natural light?

I like the idea of a diffuser and will be shopping for one soon

[Benji]

Using a large diffuser to diffuse sunshine is a possibility provided you have no wind and three or four assistants to hold it at the exact angle needed while you shoot. If it is windy add a couple more assistants to hold it down. OTOH off camera flash requires a light stand and if it is windy a bungee cord and a dog stake to hold it down.

Last time I checked both Seattle Washington and Ft. Wayne Indiana are both CONUS, and I believe we share the exact same sun. Granted Seattle is on the Pacific time zone and Indiana is on the Central time zone but I believe the sun is nearly directly overhead at noon in June in both locations right?

Benji