Shooting a model in harsh sun

[LowTechMan]

I read with interest the thread by blinking8s titled "tips on model shoot" All the recommendations were to keep her out of the harsh sun. For conversations sake let's say you have a model for a few hours on a beach and all you have is harsh sun. All tips welcome!!! What can you do to make the best of the conditions? Thanks 8)

Below is one that I took in January, not all turned out as well as this one.



http://images6.fotki.com/v91/photos/1/153051/558012/110_1063-vi.jpg

[Ken Fong]

I think you made the best of the situation...
- Noon sun can indeed be very harsh and there doesn't seem to be a lot of options...but at least it didn't cause any shadow problems. If you do have a problem with shadows, maybe use litediscs (those portable reflectors) to fill in...but you might need a third person to hold it. In your photo's case, it appears like the sand is acting as your reflector. Also, don't be afraid to use a little flash for fill during a bright situation.
- Is this in Kauai? Maybe just wait for a cloud to pass in front of the sun for some level of diffused light. Your best photos will still be at sunrise/sunset.

[blinking8s]

shoot to under expose slightly...maybe a good filter to reduce the suns glare, depends on her skin tone too though...and the background

[mwinog2777]

Pay more money for the model, and get her to work either sunrise or sunset.

Failing that:

Fill flash. Umbrella with refecltors.

[LowTechMan]

Thanks Ken! There are usually a few clouds floating around, I never thought of timing them for the pictures... duh. The fill flash is a good idea too, for some reason I can't force my flash on but perhaps that's a subject for another thread. Is this in Kauai? Nope, the British Virgin Islands.

Good point on the filters blinking8s. I always used them when I was shooting 35mm. Now that I've gotten a digital, S50, I can't bring myself to pick up the 35mm anymore. I think I saw an attachment that enables one to use filters with the S50, could be unwieldy though. I got the small digitals for compact size and convienence and am still amazed at the quality of the images.... darn, it is limited though. Perhaps an upgrade to a digital that accepts lenses and back to lugging stuff around.

Pay more money for the model, and get her to work either sunrise or sunset. She already has all my money as well as her name on my bank accounts. She also dictates when the shoots are scheduled. In addition, she can also be difficult to work with and moody. She is worth all the trouble though. :wink: :D :wink:

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it. Here's one that I think a reflector would have helped with... yes/no?? Actually the full size of this image looks better to me, for some reason her facial expression looks funny in this small pic, probably due to the lighting... or my bad eyes! :? Thanks again for helping!



http://images6.fotki.com/v95/photos/1/153051/558012/1027enhaneauto-vi.jpg

[scottbergerphoto]

Photoflex makes collapsable translucent litediscs just like their reflectors.
It softens the direct sunlight.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=42106&is=REG& si=feat#goto_itemInfo
Scott

[charlesu]

Or a good reflector. Even in very bright sun, you can still get a pretty decent image.

Here's a bright light shot. Late enough that there is some angle to the sun. I arranged the model so she is facing directly away from the sun and then used flash to fill in....

http://www.runways.com/images/CC%20Caya%20Costa%207-23-02%20269%20scr.jpg

You can also look for shade. Trees work. Here's a noon shot of me with two friends from a couple of years ago. Yeah, there are some blow-outs. But the exposure of the people, tree and leaves works pretty well.

http://www.runways.com/images/charles,%20Ro%20and%20Jenny.jpg

[eric1]

Photoflex makes collapsable translucent litediscs just like their reflectors.
It softens the direct sunlight.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=42106&is=REG& si=feat#goto_itemInfo
Scott

Scott, i think your full of it! good links and info that is! :lol: