Help please

[keith isaac]

I need a hint, or for someone to point me in the right direction.

I do a fair amount of outdoor (beach) photography, and I'm having a hard time with my bachground exposure.

I always seem to over expose the back ground. I'd like to be getting a nice blue sky background, and I always get a white sky.

Here are my details.

Canon 50d
sigma 70-200 2.8
canon 430ex flash

I tend to shoot between 5.6 and 8.0
and I let the camera set the shutter
I use evaulative metering.

If you can share a link with photo samples that would be great!!!

Thanks friends,

KI

[poloman]

Try to point your camera to the north.
Use additional lighting to fill shadows if you need to.
Don't make your subjects face the sun.
If they have to face the sun. Make them keep their eyes closed and count to 4 then open them for a couple of seconds. You shoot while they are open.
Reflectors work well and are cheap.

[LowSpark420]

Isn't there a rule about the "Sky Brothers" or something, where you set your exposure by pointing it to the sky and then move it down to your subject and take the picture?

[egordon99]

I need a hint, or for someone to point me in the right direction.

I do a fair amount of outdoor (beach) photography, and I'm having a hard time with my bachground exposure.

I always seem to over expose the back ground. I'd like to be getting a nice blue sky background, and I always get a white sky.

Here are my details.

Canon 50d
sigma 70-200 2.8
canon 430ex flash

I tend to shoot between 5.6 and 8.0
and I let the camera set the shutter
I use evaulative metering.

If you can share a link with photo samples that would be great!!!

Thanks friends,

KI

Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" is a good introduction to photography. If the sky is overexposed, just use less exposure (faster shutter speed, narrower aperture, and/or lower ISO).

You may then need to use additional lighting on the subject. The your 430 flash should come in handy in these situations.

[PhotosGuy]

and I let the camera set the shutter This is why I don't do that:
Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

Depending on just what you're shooting & where the sun is, a CP (Circular Polarizer) or ND (Neutral Density) filter might help. Read this thread for other opinions:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=784097

[poloman]

Just a note....
Pros that shoot in the conditions you are experiencing use these tools.
Scrim (to block some of the sun from the subject. Reflectors (sometimes many).
Polarizing filters. (this can be very important, B&W is a great brand)
Strobes.
You will have to use some tools to have great success.

[trj911]

"Depending on just what you're shooting & where the sun is, a CP (Circular Polarizer) or ND (Neutral Density) filter might help. Read this thread for other opinions:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=784097

I agree with FrankC, polarizers are great for ourdoor shooting.

[johnj2803]

i would try shooting at dusk or dawn if you dont have any of the said filters.

[gonzogolf]

Keith, by beach shooting, do you mean portraits on the beach? Or landscapes? Different problems in each.