Im still having issues with blown out skys!

[carbonXevo8]

This is so frustrating. I take alot of photos of cars (stationary) and im still getting blown out skys. Iv trued shooting auto w/b, sunlight, shade...Ive even tried using an expodisc. Ive got a circular polorizer. It helps a little but im still very unhappy. Here's what I got. Took the pic of my car in the driveway and the sky is completely washed out. I even underexposed it by a 1/2 a stop. I also shoot raw.



Heres one thats very underexposed (2 stop i think) and still the sky is white. The sky was bright blue when i took the photos.



Any help would be great. Some people may recomend HDR but i dont have a computer that can really run CS2 or CS3 so I can use bridge. Unless theres a program out thats specific for HDR (and doesnt cost a small fortune) thats out. Again any help would be great!

[Croasdail]

Get a gradient filter. It's the easiest way to deal with this in real time. Many will recommend doing all kinds of photoshop stuff... but it really is easy to do right in camera and will save ya tons of time.

Check out this thread that is currently going on...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=315987

I know many don't like the Cokin filters, but they are a cheap way to get started and try out stuff.

[Curtis N]

It's not a white balance issue.
It's a dynamic range issue.
You will not be able to properly expose a shaded subject on a sunny day without completely blowing the sky.

Get your car into the sunshine, then shoot it.

In stickies in the transportation section, there are some good threads with tips for shooting cars.

[carbonXevo8]

ok so basicly, if I want to expose the subject and the sky properly without the use of a filter, the subject and the sky have to be in the same light range?

[In2Photos]

Originally Posted by carbonXevo8

ok so basicly, if I want to expose the subject and the sky properly without the use of a filter, the subject and the sky have to be in the same light range?

Yes. The range of light from shade to direct sun is so great that the camera can not stuff all that into one single exposure. So you have to change something to get it all in. There are many ways like the ones mentioned here (Grad filter, moving your shooting to earlier/later in the day, moving to same light source, shooting on overcast days, mutiple images blended together, etc.).

[Glenn NK]

Keep the sky out of the pictures. And minimize the background.

I see two potential problems; the too high dynamic range (already thoroughtly covered by previous posters), and composition.

In the first picture, the car has a lot of competition. Perhaps eliminate most of the background.

[carbonXevo8]

i will def try moving the spot today. I was really just testing out what my 30D can and cannot do since its only about 100 clicks old. (had an xt before) I think my problem is im looking for something a photo like i see some of these landscapes and the sky is so well defined.

[HoRnYTuRbO]

well if u dont want to use filters then shoot later in the day with fill flash or stack the images in CS

[Mum2J&M]

Isn't it also possible to burn the sky in photoshop to get some of the color back? Or maybe to saturate it more in layers?

[In2Photos]

Originally Posted by Mum2J&M

Isn't it also possible to burn the sky in photoshop to get some of the color back? Or maybe to saturate it more in layers?

Only if there is information retained in the blown out areas. If it is completely white (255,255,255) then hope is lost.

[PhotosGuy]

Get your car into the sunshine, then shoot it.

Not if I can help it? What's really important in the shot, the car or the sky? Expose for the car first, & remember, RAW, PS, & shooting on "M" are your friends!
A few Car Lighting Tips

You can lighten the car & keep the sky with a Layer Mask.
Try a Layer Mask for easy local changes.
Airport runway shoot

If you shoot RAW, then blended exposures using the same technique will give better results.
2007 Chevy HHR

More detail on the methods:
Mixed Lighting Issues Solved By Using RAW Format!!!
RAitch Tutorial - Burn and Dodge with a Layer

RE: "MiSTeaKs" When I screw up...
Why I love RAW - '53 Ford Sunliner

-=The RAW Faqs=- RAW Processing info and links

[notsotechie]

firstly the camera was trying to adjust the exp by comp the foreground expouser.
try using exp lock the little buttomn with a star shape press that in a mid tone area.blue
then recompose,shoot.give that a try the red one if you compose on that will give you a dark foreground.Iv attached you picture to point out and give it a try.

[Croasdail]

also, don't be affraid to use flash during the day. It is really the only time I like to use it. One of the nice side benifits is it will get your glass and chrome to sparcle, like Frank's shot even when you don't have sun to use. If you do have some sun, reflectors also work very well for bring light back on to the subject. On a recent shoot we used to 4x8 sheets of foil back insulation board to redirect light back on the subject. This works nicely when the sun is setting behind your subject. It redirects light back in the same color spectrum as the sun so you don't have a missmatch.

[Mike R]

If you cannot shoot without the sky being in the shot, You can use a GND filter. Another option would be to shoot at a different time of day when the sun is lower in the sky.