Sports related Exposure Question (Maybe for Gmen)

[mapollo]

I recently had my second chance to shoot a Horse Race meeting. The first time the light was kind but this time it was a bright Winters day.

I didn't make a good job of the highlights (see example below). I was shooting in Manual taking a meeting reading off the grass. I'm maybe thinking I should underexpose the next time I have a bright day to deal with, but if I'm right how much should I underexpose? or am I being unrealistic in expecting to make a better job of the highlights.

I do understand about the limited dynamic range I have with a camera but I'm unsure whether a little underexposure will help.

[fslshooter]

I shoot baseball in Florida where harsh sunlight is more the norm than the exception and under these conditions I must decide whether I want to expose for details in shadows or for details in highlights. Perhaps there are perfect settings that will do both but I've never found them. Since I shoot more sportraits than high action stuff I opt for details in shadows which blows highlights out. You might want to do the opposite in shots like the above and that's a personal decision only you can make. Just don't expect perfect exposure in both shadows and highlights when you shoot in harsh sunlight unless you crop exceedingly tight.

[tghaines]

I've often been told to expose to the skin tone (if there is a face in the shot). I shoot mainly cycling and triathlon, so to get a good skin tone exposure under hats or helmets, you have to overexpose 2/3 - 1 stop.....if fill flash is not available.

To set-up, we take a shot before the action starts and chimp the face to make sure it's clear and not blown out. Metering off grass is ok for a start point and I do this loads of the time for a starter, but keep in mind that grass goes from dark green to light brown. I also use a Sekonic meter for a start point, but then chimp the face until it's good.

For your shot I think the face is overexposed, but not by too much. The background can be seriously blown out with out worrying if the face (or main subject of the frame) is exposed correctly.

Great timing btw!!!