feleekshia Loc: Oahu, Hawaii

I had a sony dslr a 100 before & had trouble getting amazing/good shots when the sun is blaring outside. Now I have a Nikon D5100 & am still having problems. Here are a few shots from a shoot yesterday. We were going to attempt again today but weather is looking the same. How can I improve my picture taking? Always get shadows in my pics also.....
I shot on auto & potrait.
What manual settings would be good for sunlight?
Should I shoot with low aperature? etc.....
Unfortunately, I dont have any accessories for my camera (external flash, better lens etc...)
I have the kit lens that came in the bundle with the body. Thanks for all the help!

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Photos look good to me...you have a beautiful subject

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Photos look good to me...you have a beautiful subject

Ernst Loc: Michigan

Just wondering if you are useing a flash it might help.I take quit a few pictures and it helps.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Harsh sun - harsh shadows. Flash, especially a whole slew of them, and reflectors will help to open up the shadows,but there's only so much you can do.

ward5311 Loc: Georgia

As has been said...bright sunlight produces harsh shadows...shoot ISO 100..smaller aperture..faster shutter speed....A fill flash can help..but if you want better shots..shoot early or late. Watch your composition also...your models feet were cut off in the first. Just my .02.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Watch your composition also...your models feet were cut off in the first. Just my .02.[/quote]

Of course you are correct, but I just got to her feet. :D

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

Have you tried early morning or evening sun?
The brighest time of day is not the best as you have noticed.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Looks like image 2 needs a little help...
Looks like the flash did fire. I see a little reflection on forehead, cheek and lip.

Just so you know where I'm coming from, my level of photo expertise is "Snap Shot Guy"....
These are just my thoughts. I have not done the following. I'd try it..... Maybe, others will jump in.

First, as your camera is thinking about what power to use for fill flash, it is reading lot of strong light. Indirect sun light and reflections off the water. I think this could cause weak fill flash. Possible corrections may be to use different metering settings. Hopefully, the more experienced ones will jumping in and clear this up.

Second, you could carry a white board/reflector. Looks like cardboard, only made of stiff plastic. Craft store. Size, I'm not sure. I'm thinking for image2, 3'wide by 4'.
This will be hard to hold in the wind. Maybe a helper. Or, attach to a 1x2 board about 6' long. Attach reflector where the top of the white board is about 5' above ground. Allow bottom of stick to rest on the ground and to stablize. With one hand move top to point/reflect the light. This will leave you with only one hand to hold and shot with.

Hopefully, someone will jump in and straighten out my thinking.
Good Luck!
If you try this, please post results and what you actually used or did.
Pat
(Snap Shot Guy)

Edit: You asked about manual settings.
Google "sunny 16 rule". This is a guideline for a starting place. Will probably need a minor adjustment for your light at that moment. Also, there are other guidlines for different conditions to start with. Such as lights clouds, heavy clouds, sunsets, and others. With their use, little adjustments will be needed for the exact quality of light.
Hope this is helpfull!

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Here's the problem as I see it. If you could start from a point where the sunlight has no effect on the camera sensor, you could "build" your own lighting. The problem is that with high bright sun that is virtually impossible - even using the lowest ISO available and the highest shutter speed. So, lets then assume that you can at least eliminate the extremely bright over exposed areas. Now you still will have a bunch of very dark areas left. If you have enough fill flashes, reflectors, enough time, and enough skill, you could essentially paint light into all the shadows and fill them in; but how difficult is that to do when controlling the range and power of the light is very challenging. I find it is always more rewarding to shoot in shade, on an overcast day, or during those magic hours just after sunrise and before sunset. Even lighting is our friend and it makes it makes it much easier for the camera to find a useable exposure range.

feleekshia Loc: Oahu, Hawaii

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your time & advice!

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

You need to control the daylight. This is done through reflectors and cutters (black cloth on frames). Mainly, reflectors, LARGE ones, at least 5 feet across if round, and 40x60 if rectangular.

As to reflectors, you want a gold, a silver, and an interwoven gold/silver. Most of this stuff is available on spring frames which fold to nothing when done.

All of the images below were shot on bright sunny days, generally at the worst time of day 12 noon to 3 pm, using full daylight controls and no artificial lighting, strobe or otherwise, in play. I have 30+ years of experience as a photographer and cinematographer, but results like these are possible with the expansion of your daylight control gear and determination to learn how to wrestle the sun to your will.

I am currently reworking my Daylight Stage, and I will post tutorials here in the future from it. The images here are crude by comparison with what's to come. More lighting control and more amazing images.

My Daylight Stage and Green Screen


My Daylight Stage and Green Screen


My Daylight Stage and Green Screen


My Daylight Stage and Green Screen


My Daylight Stage and Green Screen


My Daylight Stage and Green Screen

Tj8photo Loc: Gold Coast Australia

Go back to basics...set your camera to auto or "p" and work from the camera settings to create your own ..this worked for me Cheers Tj...

Photo Op Loc: TN

A reflector is a wonderful tool for filling in the shadows. Inexpensive and folds up to a small package for easy carrying. Lots of tutorials online for the use of reflectors.

Good luck. Hope this helps.