Tips on focusing with backlit shots

Hey guys,

I'm struggling with sunset shoots where I have the sun directly behind a model. I also use alien bees to light the subject properly. However, when I try to take the picture, the model is basically pitch black due to strong backlighting from the sun.

I've thought about things like using a flash light to light the model's face. Would this affect the exposure at all? Or will the alien bee basically overpower it completely and it'll have no effect?

Any other tips or equipment I can buy to help with this?

I wish there was a flashlight that would sync with triggers. As in, it acts as a modeling light and turns off when the pic is taken, then turns back on. Is there something like this?

fashionrider wrote in post #18113374
Hey guys,

I'm struggling with sunset shoots where I have the sun directly behind a model. I also use alien bees to light the subject properly. However, when I try to take the picture, the model is basically pitch black due to strong backlighting from the sun.

I've thought about things like using a flash light to light the model's face. Would this affect the exposure at all? Or will the alien bee basically overpower it completely and it'll have no effect?

Any other tips or equipment I can buy to help with this?

I wish there was a flashlight that would sync with triggers. As in, it acts as a modeling light and turns off when the pic is taken, then turns back on. Is there something like this?

Heya,

I just put my hand where the sun flare is in my field of view, block it, and then AF has no issue grabbing focus. It's the flare that is killing contrast that makes AF not work right. So just block the flare, or focus without the flare in the field of view, and you should have good odds.

Very best,

fashionrider wrote in post #18113374
Hey guys,

I wish there was a flashlight that would sync with triggers. As in, it acts as a modeling light and turns off when the pic is taken, then turns back on. Is there something like this?

If your strobe is outputting enough light to balance a backlit sunset I doubt any flashlight is going to add any light to your scene. I've played with the idea of trying to make high-powered flashlights work in stills but as soon as we are talking the ratios needed to balance sunlight and strobes I haven't found a flashlight yet that adds any relevant light.

I would try the flashlight Idea it might allow you to see their facial expressions just don't get something so bright to make the model squint