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View Full Version : How do I Shoot the Sun?

NBEast
19th of October 2009 (Mon), 11:41
I've been out of it a while. Decided to dust off the old 30D and take it for a walk.

I recall that using the sun for hair-light is a powerful technique but it's tricky to not end up with something like this (http://newport.smugmug.com/photos/685521418_DzyjW-L.jpg).

50mm (f1.4 prime), f5.0, 1/650th, ISO 100, no hood, no flash, no filter. Sun was about 30 degrees to the right. 4:30 PM in California so it was maybe 2 hours before sunset.

As much as I tried fixing it in PP (http://newport.smugmug.com/photos/685517426_pux54-L.jpg), I'd much rather just take it right in the first place.

So; I'm guessing narrower aperture, hood (optional?), polarizing filter, and flash. However; I don't even remember how to use a filter much less own one for that lens.

Thanks so much for any advice you can offer. Cheers.

EDIT: For the curious with time on their hands, PPs welcome; original here (http://newport.smugmug.com/photos/685521418_DzyjW-O.jpg). If fixable, how? Thanks.
Clay Kerri
19th of October 2009 (Mon), 12:31
All of those are decent options. Personally, I'd go for the hood first. A hood will block out most of the flare you are getting on your lens. Next, I'd stop the aperture around f10-14 (ss 1/250) and put a flash (Whether on camera or off) on the subject. This will soften up harsh backlighting, and bring more attention to your subject.

I like the work you did in PP.
corkneyfonz
19th of October 2009 (Mon), 13:03
A lens hood would have probably improved the shot. However from my experience in the dark and dank UK, I've never had the need to use one on a 50mm.
NBEast
19th of October 2009 (Mon), 13:37
All of those are decent options. Personally, I'd go for the hood first. A hood will block out most of the flare you are getting on your lens. Next, I'd stop the aperture around f10-14 (ss 1/250) and put a flash (Whether on camera or off) on the subject. This will soften up harsh backlighting, and bring more attention to your subject.

I like the work you did in PP.
Thanks for responding! Great call on F11, and flash. I'm anxious to go try that. Hood might not always be an option so also looking for work-arounds.