controlling the sun light

My first try at taking pictures in bright sun light, it was around 8:30 pm and the sun spot was real bright while taking the pics. any suggestion for making it better?

There are a few ways of doing this but one that works in most situations is :

1. Set camera to Aperture Priority
2. Spot meter on the sky
3. Get correct exposure that you prefer
4. Switch to manual
5. Set settings used in AP mode in manual mode
6. Use flash to expose foreground. Your settings for background will help ensure background is exposed properly.

You can also use ND filters and a multitude of other methods to get the exposure you like but the one I listed is a good beginner means of doing it.

Elusivesouls wrote in post #16057370
There are a few ways of doing this but one that works in most situations is :

1. Set camera to Aperture Priority
2. Spot meter on the sky
3. Get correct exposure that you prefer
4. Switch to manual
5. Set settings used in AP mode in manual mode
6. Use flash to expose foreground. Your settings for background will help ensure background is exposed properly.

You can also use ND filters and a multitude of other methods to get the exposure you like but the one I listed is a good beginner means of doing it.

Thanks Elusivesouls for the info, will give it a try.
I had the camera set to M mode, SS 200, ISO 200 and F/5.6 ( I played aroung with these settings) to get the background dark and adjusted the flash power up and down until I got the bush light enough. Saw it done on the net somewhere and gave it a try.

DigitalDon wrote in post #16057416
Thanks Elusivesouls for the info, will give it a try.
I had the camera set to M mode, SS 200, ISO 200 and F/5.6 ( I played aroung with these settings) to get the background dark and adjusted the flash power up and down until I got the bush light enough. Saw it done on the net somewhere and gave it a try.

If you follow my advice, you are exposing for the background which means it will be well lit and your flash (preferably an external speedlite of some sort) will expose for the foreground.

Remember, meter for the background, remember the settings, switch to manual, and then put the settings in there. That will take care of the background. Use the flash to take care of the foreground.

Let me know how it works out for you.

I'm no expert but here's my $.02.

Leave it in manual; just set aperture you want and point it towards the background you want exposed correctly. Dial in the shutter speed until it's good. Change aperture and/or ISO or use a tripod if SS is too slow. Light (flash) the foreground if you want to see it because it's a lot darker.

Also; the sun is really bright. It makes nice flare and lights up the clouds nicely but it's about 200 stops more than anything else. Place it behind something or in the corner.