tresap23 Loc: Texas

Has anyone heard of exposure issues with the 5D Mark IV? I am sure it is just me. But I have noticed that my pictures seem to be a bit over exposed, especially on a sunny day. I have tried increasing the shutter speed, and lowering the ISO, also bumping up the f-stop, even though I need the 2.8 for portraits, to get that creamy, blurred background. I have tried the ND filters. But I don't always get the desired colors when I use them. For example, I attached the filter, because it was so bright out, and I was taking product pictures of metal Garden Stakes, for a client. The colors were not accurate, with the filter, verses without. But, without it, the sky and other areas of the picture were blown out. I set the f-stop to about 3.5on some to 4.5 on some, and it was still a little over exposed. I had this same issue when taking engagement pictures of a couple. Otherwise, I love the camera. On overcast days it seems to be perfect. I am sure it is just my inexperience, however, I used the 70D for 3 years and never had this issue. I got the 5D for Christmas, and have not used it as much. Trying to learn more about it first. Most of my paid shoots I take the 70D because I am comfortable with it. I feel I still have a lot to learn about the 5D. Attached are some pics of the garden stakes! A little plug for Kaktos Rose They make awsome metal mantras, ornaments , cake toppers, etc. Also, I had to decrease the exposure in PP to get a desired look. Any tips on what I might be doing wrong, and what I can do to make it better is appreciated. Thanks

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jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Why are you shooting at f/2.8? f/5.6 or even f/8. would be good for theses shots.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

F2.8 when shooting people. When they want the blurry background and beautiful Bokeh. On these, I still wanted a bit of blurry background, and keep the Garden Stakes as the main focus. Don't want their customers asking where they can get that pretty flower pot, versus the actual product they sell. I did take some at around 4.5 but parts of the photo were still blown out. BTW the Texas shaped "Home" stake was shot around 7:45 after the sun had gone down. A couple of these were taken late evening and the rest in the morning

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

When shooting outside on a sunny day you are going to get overexposed images shooting at f/4.5. & shutter speeds that you were using. Up your shutter speeds.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks for the tip.

chaman

You dont need to go down to 2.8 to get a nice bokeh. Thats a myth that needs to stop. You can effectively blur you BG with a higher f/stop like 4. Also shooting in harsh light will get frequent hot spots in your images. Try to get your images in softer lighting conditions. There is nothing wrong with the camera.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Something else you might try is to use the same backdrop for the little plant stakes. The same pot could be used for all the stakes that way you could do a close up of the stake and not have much of the pot showing. The one that works the best for me is the bottom shot with the stake in front of the barrel cactus.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

If you are shooting this as a product image, why not do a lighting setup so you control the ambient light and add your own lighting to your specifications. You aren't dependent on the changing light and can fine tune your composition.

Otherwise, what shutter speeds are you going up to that can't cut the ambient?

If the ND filter is causing colorcasts, then you need to do a custom white balance with the filter on. Is your monitor profiled for color accuracy?

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Well that is good to know. About the camera and the Bokeh. Yeah, I just have to get used to using this camera. It is a very good camera, and a step up from my 70D. But I can tell a difference using the same settings on the 70D verses the 5D. I have just got to play with my settings until I get it right. Thanks for the tip.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Thanks, I will try that next time.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Well, at the moment I don't have studio lighting. I am getting ready to purchase some though. Seems I might need it, as I am picking up a little more business. I have a Speed light, I just recently purchased. I am not experienced with using lights. Especially outdoors, and shooting metal, as it is reflective. Some pics I increased my shutter speed to 250-400. I only posted a few photos, to show the garden stakes :) And those were edited. Had to decrease the exposure in all of them. I did have my camera set to AWB and I also selected "sunny" , for the color accuracy. Will remember to do a custom white balance next time though. Thanks for the help! I appreciate all the advice I can get.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

chaman is right, focal length and distance of subject to background can also be used to your advantage with smaller fstops.

Another tip to be aware of, that the focus of your subject should be clear and clean. The background you see through the lettering cutouts should provide a good contrast so the viewer can easily read the message. Notice in shot 1, the word is really difficult to read, especially when compared to the other photos.

twowindsbear

Ok, you've picked f2.8 as your lens opening, and your set ISO - how are you determining your shutter speed? Could you have set some + exposure compensation, too?

And, try to avoid back lighting. In the pic of the cactus, there's more light on the background than on the part of the cactus facing the camera - a sure-fire combination for blown-out highlights.

Good luck!

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

You don't need fancy studio lighting. Get some cheap diffusion material, black and white foam core and some clamps from Home Depot and the Dollar stores. Use the diffusion material to even out the ambient. Set up your flash off camera and use the white foam core cut to the size you want to reflect lighting where you want it and black foam core to block light where you don't. I use all types of small lighting to add highlights and shadow where I want it, sometimes, the cheap led lights I pick up are lifesavers when shooting.

When shooting product where color is of vital importance, you need to be specific with your white balance. A custom white balance gives you a common starting point for all your shots within that group without any variance. You can adjust one shot and batch match the rest with assurance.

tresap23 Loc: Texas

Wow, that is great advice. I will definitely get some foam board and clamps, and practice this technique, tomorrow! Thanks