Help with reflective ground in action picks
Nov 27, 2012 19:39:50 #
What can I do in setting up my shots at this arena, the ground reflects so much light back that it makes the shots washed out, not sure how to compensate, advice please.
Would a faster shutter speed do the trick?
Would a faster shutter speed do the trick?
Jumping horse
Jumping horse
Nov 27, 2012 19:48:48 #
Well I would tell you to shoot like snow and overexpose by a stop but the picture has no blown out areas. The problem is more contrast and could probably be color corrected in post to add contrast. I actually like shooting in these conditions. It acts as a natural reflector(Especially for portraits. You could change your metering in camera, but it doesn't look like an exposure problem to me. Just a post processing issue.
The first pic might be blown out a tad in the whites.
The first pic might be blown out a tad in the whites.
Nov 27, 2012 19:56:03 #
Thanks Palepictures, would a faster shutter speed cut down some of the reflection?
Nov 27, 2012 19:56:24 #
No. To get the right exposure, upping the shutter speed will mean you have to open the aperture. Net change is zero.
You can get lower so you shoot up a bit making the bright ground less prevalent. You can burn in that area in Photoshop ( or whatever) to bring it down, but be careful you don't just make it look a phony dull gray.
It is also messing with your metering - it is so bright that you are underexposing the horse a bit . Second image not so much, but the first one looks like you have lost some detail in the animal.
You can get lower so you shoot up a bit making the bright ground less prevalent. You can burn in that area in Photoshop ( or whatever) to bring it down, but be careful you don't just make it look a phony dull gray.
It is also messing with your metering - it is so bright that you are underexposing the horse a bit . Second image not so much, but the first one looks like you have lost some detail in the animal.
Nov 27, 2012 20:04:21 #
Thanks Captainc, I just e-mailed you in case you didn't see the post, so please ignore and thanks for your input as always.
Nov 27, 2012 20:06:47 #
CaptainC wrote:
No. To get the right exposure, upping the shutter ... (show quote)
Yep Horse is under a tad also. Second image is more balanced.
As the Captain mentioned as well. Not a shutter issue.
Good point on getting lower as well from the Captain.
Nov 27, 2012 20:08:11 #
Agree that first horse is underexposed as a result of metering, what would you do? Other than get low or fix in pp.
Nov 27, 2012 20:11:04 #
PalePictures wrote:
quote=CaptainC No. To get the right exposure, upp... (show quote)
Palepicture, agree, I'm going to be back at that arena this weekend, it's supposed to be sunny again, so I will have the same issue, how would your camera be set if you were there?
Nov 27, 2012 20:19:44 #
CaptainC wrote:
No. To get the right exposure, upping the shutter ... (show quote)
Captainc and Palepicture, if it feels like your brains are being picked...well they are, I will be gentle, thanks.
Nov 27, 2012 20:23:46 #
As bright as it is I would shoot as low of aperture as I could get by with. Your major problem is so much white with a dark horse. Your camera can't handle that range. Blur to the background at 2.8 will help. Eye in a photograph goes from Light to dark and focus to out of focus.
1) Get low.
2) Pick a subject that is not riding in white(Unless you have to).
3) Expose for the middle ground.
4) In post you can tone down the whites while bringing up the darks. (Only if you have too)
5) Portraits with a lot of white in them cause problems. It's no different here.
If your subject is not dressed in white it makes it easier to deal with.
Bring a change of clothes for the rider! (Just kidding)
Here's a shot on the beach with white everywhere. Notice I shot up. I was laying on the ground. I still got a lot of white but because the subject was not wearing white it works.
There still is alot of white in your scene so get low.
Shoot AV with F2.8 if your at distance. Let your shutter float. Get as much white out of the scene as possible. Use evaluative metering in your camera. That's what I would do.
Darker skin helps as well.
Example shot at f1.8 at 1/8000 shutter(Maxed out)
As the Captain mentioned about the dull grey. Toning down pictures with levels/curves/dodge and burn can desaturate an image and make bright areas look awful. Dpn't fall into that trap. Smalllllllll changes only.
In my example the hand was still overexposed a tad because of the lack of tan there. I decided to let it go. It was a family outing.
1) Get low.
2) Pick a subject that is not riding in white(Unless you have to).
3) Expose for the middle ground.
4) In post you can tone down the whites while bringing up the darks. (Only if you have too)
5) Portraits with a lot of white in them cause problems. It's no different here.
If your subject is not dressed in white it makes it easier to deal with.
Bring a change of clothes for the rider! (Just kidding)
Here's a shot on the beach with white everywhere. Notice I shot up. I was laying on the ground. I still got a lot of white but because the subject was not wearing white it works.
There still is alot of white in your scene so get low.
Shoot AV with F2.8 if your at distance. Let your shutter float. Get as much white out of the scene as possible. Use evaluative metering in your camera. That's what I would do.
Darker skin helps as well.
Example shot at f1.8 at 1/8000 shutter(Maxed out)
As the Captain mentioned about the dull grey. Toning down pictures with levels/curves/dodge and burn can desaturate an image and make bright areas look awful. Dpn't fall into that trap. Smalllllllll changes only.
In my example the hand was still overexposed a tad because of the lack of tan there. I decided to let it go. It was a family outing.
Example in Sand and bright sun
Nov 27, 2012 20:39:31 #
Umm....there is white in the picture?? I do see a little red....very little red.
Nov 27, 2012 20:45:20 #
Thanks Palepicture, appreciate you taking the time and an example, sounds like the Captain liked a bit of red.
Nov 27, 2012 20:45:59 #
Nov 27, 2012 20:46:14 #
CaptainC wrote:
Umm....there is white in the picture?? I do see a little red....very little red.
Stupid me....I shoot horses :shock:
Nov 27, 2012 21:00:22 #
CaptainC wrote:
Umm....there is white in the picture?? I do see a little red....very little red.
Who needs a backdrop?
Your a hoot when your not fighting the good fight.
90% subject.
5% clothing. (I think thats about right.)
2% Photographer. (I'm being generous here)
3% who knows.
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