A question about sky

[Daz85]

Hi,

Im new to DSLR's and have decided to shoot most things in manual (M) mode as I feel I could learn more that way.

Anyway I took a few shots yesterday at a local Ferrari dealership andthe pics along with many other of my pictures are exposed nicely appart from the sky.

I find if I expose the shot for the sky the subject is way too sark and visa versa.

Now I know it must be the way I set my settings up so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaymond/308541936/

This is an example I was looking at, if I set up the shot to get the nice blue sky I would find that the wheel is too dark.

[John_B]

Daz85,
Post one or two of your Ferrari photos so we can see the situation. Its probably just too much light difference, this can be fixed in a number of ways. One way is with gradual neutral density filter, another way is using fill in flash, another way is via software and another way is wait for darker skies.

[StewartR]

I agree with John. Let's see some of your pictures. It's far easier to give relevant advice if we can see the results of what you're doing currently.

Incidentally, you said that if you expose the picture for the sky then the subject is way too dark. You might not have realised this, but the picture of the London Eye which you linked also has the subject way too dark. It's just that it's a white subject and it still looks OK slightly-darker-than-white.

[Daz85]

Thanks for replies here is one of the pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daz85/582811426/

its been PP slightly but the sky has been left alone.

I have looked at grad filters and I think I may invest in a couple of them with different colours.

[J Rabin]

Easy.
Drive car to shady spot, or
stand on ladder and shoot downward (change viewpoint and eliminate sky), or
wait for sun to drop behind nearby buildings or horizon.
Simply reduce contrast in the scene (or live with it).
Excess contrast is the bane of outdoor on-the-go photography.
My collected Hi-Contrast tips sheet for my own use.
http://postit.rutgers.edu/uploads/Ex...5FOutdoors.pdf
May help you. Or not...
Enjoy, Jack

[Daz85]

Thanks Jack, Wish I could of moved the car to a shady spot but I didnt have the keys it was at a Ferrari dealership.

[John_B]

Daz85,
From the photo it seems like a Cokin P Grad ND system would help. The hard part would be getting the filter in the perfect position to darken the sky and don't affect the main subject (the car). The angle part would be easy as they turn to any position. You could try using Fill in Flash to make the car brighter and it would help keep the background from over exposing. I personally would try the flash method first (as its easier for me), then give the ND filters a try.
Good Luck with it

[joegolf68]

Graduated filters!

[PhotosGuy]

The light on the car looks great! I wouldn't move it anywhere that would put bad reflections in the body though. In fact, I'd move it away from the light pole & building, both of which are giving you bad reflections?
"Later" light might bring the level of the sky down. A few Car Lighting Tips

Now I know it must be the way I set my settings up...

Congrats for using "M"! Here's how I expose for the important highlights: Need an exposure crutch?

...if I set up the shot to get the nice blue sky I would find that the wheel is too dark.

Generally, there just isn't enough latitude in digital, or film for that matter, to capture the sky & tires in one exposure. Got PS? Layer Masks can help you get what you want:
Here's one illustration in Post #9 using the built in Adjustment Layer's mask. Airport runway shoot

Layer Masks - What the Thumbnails mean

Layers, Layers, Layers

Layers and channels

Adjustment layer basics

Tutorial on layer masking

Tutorial: Exposure Blending in Photoshop using a Layer mask.

A small tutorial - Adjustment Layer Masks

My Tutorial on layer masking: Need to remove a background from something?

Quickster's example of several shots blended together.

RAitch Tutorial - Burn and Dodge with a Layer

PamR's tut on general PP & masks in post #8:
How to achieve "the Dragan" effect?

Tutorial - Create a layer mask from image detail

Tutorial - Create a layer mask from Luminosity: Luminosity Masks

For things like cars, I find it easier to do the selection myself:
Selecting areas in PS.

I'd use a mask here instead of erasing, but it's a good way to darken a slightly blown sky:
Fix the blown out sky

If and when should I use * button?

Many more links using PS Elements in Post # 14, below.

If those weren't enough... Digital Photography Tutorials

Deke McCelland's video is a bit complicated, but it gives a great overview of what can be done & covers important points on selecting hair & using Blend Modes, too.
“The Essential Approach to Masking in Photoshop.”

That should keep you busy for a while?

[Daz85]

Thanks alot for the replies.

When I get myself a decent flash gun i'll give fill flash a go and I will invest in some grad filters too just incase.

Photosguy, I appreciate you taking the time to post them links, ive bookmarked them all and am going to work through them when I get home from work.

As for the light pole I would of loved to move the car but it was at a dealership therefore I didnt have the keys. (but I can dream)

Thanks Again all.

[PhotosGuy]

Fixed the link to: Layers, Layers, Layers

[RedHot]

With digital you won't be able to hold the highlights in the sky as easily as film does because of the less dynamic range digital has. Your options are to layer multiple exposures or different RAW processed images of the same RAW file. Or use a graduated neutral density filter to tone down the sky.

Or you can meter for the highlights and do your best to lighten the shadows during post processing.

[freaking102]

shoot at a different time of day when less difference between sky and foreground. mid-day outdoor photography is a prob

[PhotosGuy]

Many more links using PS Elements, & sometimes it helps to see the same thing explained in different language:
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse...rtialcolor.htm

More links - see the video tutorial in post #8:
Tough Exposure question

[cosworth]

Layers, tripod, multiple exposures. Either layer it or HDR.

Use M mode like you do meter the sky about 2/3rds or 1 full stop OVER, then use some fill flash.

Move the car.