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Should I have used a fill flash or reflector?
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Nov 30, 2015 08:49:27   #
Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL
 
Over the few years I have been part of UH, I have learned so much from the pro, semi pro and amateur photographers who frequent this site. A friend asked me to take some shots of his daughter heading off to college. I like shooting with backlight but now asking the experts would these have been more effective using a fill flash or reflector? Or are they acceptable as they are? I chose to use spot metering. Always appreciate comments, help or suggestions.


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Nov 30, 2015 08:56:14   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Fill is sorely needed here. Either option would have made a noticeable improvement.

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Nov 30, 2015 08:58:16   #
oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA
 
Rob47 wrote:
.... I like shooting with backlight but now asking the experts would these have been more effective using a fill flash or reflector? ...

Add fill and or reflector

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Nov 30, 2015 08:58:26   #
tsilva Loc: Arizona
 
Don't know what you metered off of but these are unacceptably underexposed. You have more control over flash. 30% fill flash would be a good place to start, maybe as much as 50%.

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Nov 30, 2015 09:00:39   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
Since you asked, I think a touch of fill would have been good, I'd have used flash. Bob.

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Nov 30, 2015 09:01:12   #
Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL
 
Thanks and I agree. After I put them in post I realized my error. These were the only ones shot like that so I learned my lesson.

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Nov 30, 2015 09:15:28   #
bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana
 
Let me ask you a question. Did you shoot in raw? I think the raw files could be salvageable.

You may also be able to punch up the face wit a jpeg, but I don't know if it will be as "convincing."

If you want to see what can be done, PM me, I can give you my email address and you can send it to me. I'm just finishing up a few senior photos, and don't have any weddings planned for this month, so I would have some time to show you, and walk you through the process.

I could share it on UHH, but would want to get your permission, and mess with the file myself to see if I can "fix" it like I think I can, before I actually post anything.

Just let me know.
bk

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Nov 30, 2015 09:48:07   #
Toby
 
Rob47 wrote:
Over the few years I have been part of UH, I have learned so much from the pro, semi pro and amateur photographers who frequent this site. A friend asked me to take some shots of his daughter heading off to college. I like shooting with backlight but now asking the experts would these have been more effective using a fill flash or reflector? Or are they acceptable as they are? I chose to use spot metering. Always appreciate comments, help or suggestions.


I would be careful about using anything that would wash out the backlighting of her hair. Maybe try the "shadows" slider in Lightroom.

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Nov 30, 2015 10:39:05   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
Toby wrote:
I would be careful about using anything that would wash out the backlighting of her hair. Maybe try the "shadows" slider in Lightroom.


OP didn't ask but PSP has a fill light slider, probably be my choice, Bob.

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Nov 30, 2015 12:51:48   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
Rob47 wrote:
Over the few years I have been part of UH, I have learned so much from the pro, semi pro and amateur photographers who frequent this site. A friend asked me to take some shots of his daughter heading off to college. I like shooting with backlight but now asking the experts would these have been more effective using a fill flash or reflector? Or are they acceptable as they are? I chose to use spot metering. Always appreciate comments, help or suggestions.


First off; bravo to you for putting this in the right section and asking a pertinent question...many folks don't even get this right.


The answer is yes; you should have lit her front up a bit.


You CAN still save it in Lightroom/ post processing but the real way to deal with it is with some fill flash or a reflector.

You would add light because the difference between the direct sun is a LOT different than the shade of her front body area and you would like them to be closer.

The other way to deal with it would be to meter for the shadows and let the sun part blow out like a nuclear bomb; not good for digital but works great on film :)

PS: This isn't a disaster, Lightroom would fix it up nicely even in jpg.

I wouldn't be too hard on myself for this.

Would you like me to post a comparison of the original and lightened up a bit in LR?

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Nov 30, 2015 16:52:20   #
ronwande Loc: Hendersonville NC
 
Permission to post my edit of the image??

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Nov 30, 2015 22:18:32   #
Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL
 
Thanks. I just got home from work. I realize my error and trying not to be too hard on myself. I went back to my camera after being questioned about my spot metering. Now I really feel dumb. I changed my metering during the shoot to matrix and forgot to change it back when I went to shoot with the backlight. You're nice to show me the fix and yes I'd like to see but curious in your process as well. All part of the education. It's another reason why I enjoy the people on UH. Thanks again.


rpavich wrote:
First off; bravo to you for putting this in the right section and asking a pertinent question...many folks don't even get this right.


The answer is yes; you should have lit her front up a bit.


You CAN still save it in Lightroom/ post processing but the real way to deal with it is with some fill flash or a reflector.

You would add light because the difference between the direct sun is a LOT different than the shade of her front body area and you would like them to be closer.

The other way to deal with it would be to meter for the shadows and let the sun part blow out like a nuclear bomb; not good for digital but works great on film :)

PS: This isn't a disaster, Lightroom would fix it up nicely even in jpg.

I wouldn't be too hard on myself for this.

Would you like me to post a comparison of the original and lightened up a bit in LR?
First off; bravo to you for putting this in the ri... (show quote)

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Nov 30, 2015 22:19:20   #
Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL
 
Yes. I'd like to see and also your process.

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Dec 1, 2015 03:46:54   #
rpavich Loc: West Virginia
 
Rob47 wrote:
Thanks. I just got home from work. I realize my error and trying not to be too hard on myself. I went back to my camera after being questioned about my spot metering. Now I really feel dumb. I changed my metering during the shoot to matrix and forgot to change it back when I went to shoot with the backlight. You're nice to show me the fix and yes I'd like to see but curious in your process as well. All part of the education. It's another reason why I enjoy the people on UH. Thanks again.

No problem. The issue is only that your meter saw the very strong light...that's it. So you could change your metering scheme to meter off of her face, that would work or you could just meter for her shadows by walking right up to her (with her shadowing your camera) and meter and then set the camera for what it said. OR you could meter off of most anything else like your hand (in shadow) and set the camera, that works too. I'm a big proponent of setting the cameras exposure beforehand so that you can just shoot and not having surprises happen.

In any case....it only needed about 1/3 of a stop so as I said...not a disaster at all.

On the left; the original, on the right; the corrected one. I painted in some exposure on her face and upper body in Lightroom.


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Dec 1, 2015 08:14:35   #
Rob47 Loc: Naples, FL
 
Thanks so much. I'll definitely work on it in LR. I certainly learned my lesson with double checking metering. Thanks for the encouragement! Much appreciated!

rpavich wrote:
No problem. The issue is only that your meter saw the very strong light...that's it. So you could change your metering scheme to meter off of her face, that would work or you could just meter for her shadows by walking right up to her (with her shadowing your camera) and meter and then set the camera for what it said. OR you could meter off of most anything else like your hand (in shadow) and set the camera, that works too. I'm a big proponent of setting the cameras exposure beforehand so that you can just shoot and not having surprises happen.

In any case....it only needed about 1/3 of a stop so as I said...not a disaster at all.

On the left; the original, on the right; the corrected one. I painted in some exposure on her face and upper body in Lightroom.
No problem. The issue is only that your meter saw ... (show quote)

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