Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

This is only the second time I've attempted a sunset snap. Though this is better than my first I can already spot some of my mistakes.

I had the metering on 'spot' and as I was having a hard time getting the camera to focus with all the sunlight I would pick on their feet for the focus sample and as the metering was on spot the sample was taken as the same location, way to dark. I should of had the metering on something that wouldn't sample at the point when I would press the shutter half way. Some Eval mode that would handle back light better. 1/125 was still to fast on the shutter and I didn't let enough ambient light into the frame, part of it was the metering mode was tricking me as I wanted to be around 2 stops under exposed and I was guessing with the mis-read on the sample. With te mis read my off camera flash was to hot. With the lack of ambient light and at f/16 my flash became a bit more defined and created a spot effect. Still nice but I learned something.

So hopefully the 3rd time will be a real woozier. It still works fine, just know I can do better. When the sun is setting it's easy to miss something as time goes by so fast, you have about 5 minutes of fantastic light and then it's gone.

The couple had never done a dip and wanted one as the sun was just going bye bye. I walked them through the dip and I can see a few areas I'll work on next time, maybe for their wedding day.

I left the mega data info on the snap and hopefully my slight miss with help someone else get it right :)

(Download)

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Great shot BC. I am even more impressed with your diligence to look for lessons learned and eventual perfection. You are more advanced than I when it comes to lighting. Thanks for sharing your experience as I feel I have learned something as well.

Question ... Was the meter you speak of on camera? I have not tried this in the field, but would you consider using a light meter to measure your mix of strobe and ambient light? What that mix is for sunset I am not sure but once found, you could repeat it on the next opportunity.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Hey Beercat, I think this shot is very good. Maybe not perfect, but close, very close. I don't know what you were looking for but I think you nailed the exposure for the sunset background. As for the hot spot from the flash, maybe a little hot, but actually makes the couple pop off the background. Since you were using an off camera flash you could have tried backing the flash away from the subject a foot or two and that may have done the trick. Cutting back on flash power or flash compensation would also work with different results.

I figure you know all this already but maybe my two cents will validate your own thoughts or help others.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I actually like the 'spot' look of the flash.

Ideally I think I should of been at 1/50 and the flash taken from full to 1/4 power.

Would of still given me the 'pop' but more ambient like for the sunset.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

In summary I would anticipate my settings for my next sunset beach try will be somewhere in this range:

ISO - 100

Off-Camera flash about 8 feet back set at 1/4 or 1/2 power with an umbrella.

F/11 - F/16

Shutter between 1/40 - 1/80

Spot focus

Partial metering mode

Set exposure for 1.5 - 2.0 stops below neutral

Settings will be within what I stated but will fluctuate depending on the weather/sun conditions and the zoom length used but What I've shared is a good reference point to start at.

I know you long time wedding snappers already know this stuff but for us newbies it's a new and hopefully this will help some new snappers who have not snapped the classic beach sunset pose.

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

I think you and I would probably end up in the same place, settings wise, but take a slightly different route. I always shoot M mode and utilize ETTL for the flash and adjust flash compensation as necessary with some exceptions. If some one would ask about settings I would say that my default reception hall setting is F5.6, 1/60, ISO 400. Of course, the settings may be anything else as necessary at any time.

As you stated, sunset shots are very time restrictive. So, with the camera set as above, I would do an impromptu camera meter reading of the background. I spot (camera) meter a point in the sky that I feel will give me a good background exposure. Sunsets need to be underexposed to get that great red glow. Then a few quick test shots with the flash off, adjusting the speed first and then the ISO. The aperture can be adjusted for DOF desired but usually is above 5.6 for greater DOF. I don't think I would try shooting above F11 because the long exposure would cause problems and the horizon line, clouds, and sunset are always going to be kind of soft anyway.

Now I would pop in the subjects, set the flash compensation at -1 stop and start shooting. If I want a silhouette I may have the flash off or at -3 stops. This is all with on bracket flash as I am not a big fan of dealing with off camera flash at weddings. I know that you can get better lighting but I use flash modifiers to get softer lighting and find that off camera sometimes eats up too much time and energy causing missed shots. And, something that moves faster than the setting sun is the B&G wanting to get back to the party.

This is just my way of doing it but it does illustrate the standard guideline of "Expose for the background and adjust flash for proper fill". And, whenever I state this I like to add that exposing for the background means exposing for what you want, not necessarily a technically proper exposure.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thanks Don for your 4 cents worth :lol:

Really, thank you 8-)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

My only thing to add to this conversation was the problem with focusing. I actually got rid of my pocket wizards when I started using the "much less expensive" yongnuo YN 622n TX and YN 622 N receivers (can be used as transceivers) The reason I love them is the great focus light that I have been known to use even when not using off camera flash. It sends out a waffle pattern of red light (not infrared, you can see the light through your viewfinder) so you can focus on what you want/ need. The only issue is distance, sometimes the waffle pattern isn't exactly where you want it, so you have to focus and recompose, but it will dial in your focus wonderfully. I've asked customers both in the studio and outside if the light bothers them, they can't see anything except a red glow coming from the transmitter, but they have what looks like a laser light show going on from my side. Not good to use in the Church, because EVERYONE would see the pattern, but wow, is it ever helpful.

I don't think you need any critique on this image, I do like the "spotlight" on their faces, and do agree that the ratio could be closer, but you already knew that. I would have probably tried to use my handheld meter, but light changes so fast at sunset, that may not have helped very much. A little time in PP may help get it closer to your vision too, but I kind of like it as it is.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thanks Bkyser ........

I already got as bunch balance as I could without the ocean going grainy so it is what it is ...... next time :)