Lighting problems !!!!!!!!!

[lynnett]

Going to ask a few questions which will probably seem rather silly to most of you But, as I am VERY new to photography of any description I hope you will forgive my ignorance. After looking at the lovely photographs in the Gallery and admiring their clarity and colour, I can see I have a great deal to learn.

I have problems with lighting when taking photographs. When shooting into the sun I inevitably get a rather hazy sort of picture, where the building, person or whatever is almost invisible due to the glare. I dont use the flash during bright sun, is this correct or incorrect?

Also, when taking photographs on a dull grey day, the results are awful. The sky is white/grey in colour, the lake or river is indistinguishable from the sky and any foreground images, buildings, trees etc. are more or less the same colour. All in all I end up with a very dull and miserable picture. What am I doing wrong?

Any hints, tips or advice welcome

[Steve]

Originally posted by lynnett
Going to ask a few questions which will probably seem rather silly to most of you But, as I am VERY new to photography of any description I hope you will forgive my ignorance. After looking at the lovely photographs in the Gallery and admiring their clarity and colour, I can see I have a great deal to learn.

As your pictures seem better than mine to me I'm not sure where that puts me...

I LOVE the colour in your recent uploads and they are very attractive to look at.

I hope some of those more expert in photography than I am have some tips for you here. I think you take some great photographs already though myself.

Steve

[Andy]

I have problems with lighting when taking photographs. When shooting into the sun I inevitably get a rather hazy sort of picture, where the building, person or whatever is almost invisible due to the glare. I dont use the flash during bright sun, is this correct or incorrect?

From the photos you have posted I don't think you are doing much wrong - they are very good!

Shooting into the sun is not easy. Always use a lens hood. You can try to compensate for the conditions by using exposure compensation to allow the camera to give a greater exposure than the light meter detects (because the extra sunlight fools it). Fill in flash is also a good idea if you want a close subject not to be silhouetted in these conditions.

Best bet is to study the manual and then experiment, but you can't beat good light!

Andy

[Bob]

Originally posted by Andy
Shooting into the sun is not easy. Always use a lens hood. You can try to compensate for the conditions by using exposure compensation to allow the camera to give a greater exposure than the light meter detects (because the extra sunlight fools it). Fill in flash is also a good idea if you want a close subject not to be silhouetted in these conditions.

For those times when you are photographing people relatively close to, but who have their backs to the light, fill in flash can be the answer. But balancing the exposure so the subject gets just the right amount of fill isn't easy. You just have to learn by experience.

That's where digital cameras are so very useful - you can try different techniques and find out what works in an instant.

For instance, with that picture of someone with their back to the light, you will find that for a given camera with a built in flash, there is a certain fairly shallow range where the flash will correctly expose their face. Any closer and it will be too bright, any further, and there won't be enough flash.

So, you may find that by positioning them at this distance in the backlit situation will yield a satisfying result. Or maybe it looks unnatural because their face clearly should not be fully lit in that situation, so have them a little further from the flash.

Incidentally, be aware that flashgun power ratings are notoriously over stated!

The ratings (or "guide number") will be stated assuming that it will be used in a room with a white ceiling and white walls to reflect the maximum amount of light onto the subject.

Outside, without these walls, you would probably have to rate the camera to half the manufacturer's figure!

And one final thing: It has been said that the only difference between an amateur and a professional is the size of their waste bins!

As Andy said: Experiment!

Bob

[Bob]

Originally posted by lynnett
Also, when taking photographs on a dull grey day, the results are awful. The sky is white/grey in colour, the lake or river is indistinguishable from the sky and any foreground images, buildings, trees etc. are more or less the same colour. All in all I end up with a very dull and miserable picture. What am I doing wrong?

There was once a professional photographer who wrote a book called "Cash from your Camera" called Arthur Cash or something similar who said that if it's a dull grey day, then you might as well stay in the pub!

And even with all the power of Photoshop and digital manipulation it is very hard to make shots taken on that kind of day look good.

So use the time to scout out the photographic possibilities, and come back when the sun's shining!

Bob