How to take pictures against a bright subject?

Hi,

I just went out to take some pictures. Found that whenever I took a picture of a sign(neon light), it came out the sign looked veri bright against the picture. I mean the words on the sign could not be seen. Unless I walked very near to take then it came out quite clear.

Is the dist. between the photographer and the subject crucial when taking pictures? Or only in this situation involving bright subject?

Please advise.

Thanks.

Chee Kiang
Canon IXUS 850 IS

You always have to remember when taking a picture of any form of light that if your camera focuses and exposes for the light itself, the rest of the picture will be very dark. The first thought when taking pictures of dark scenes with bright lights is to have a long exposure. However, when taking pictures of lights, in your case trying to make the words visible, the goal is not to over expose. Shoot with a faster shutter speed. And if you want the rest of the picture lit, you can use your flash as fill.

If you are shooting these signs from far away, you may need a tripod (or some other means of resting your camera). The further the zoom, the more likely your picture will blur from camera shake. Which might also be why the words on are not visable.

Hi,

thanks for your valuable information. I will take note of your advice.

Very much appreciated.

Chee Kiang
Canon IXUS 850 IS

When you're photographing something against a very contrasting background, whether it's light against dark or dark against light, if the background dominates the area of the picture, the camera will try to expose to make the background come out right; this will make your subject come out wrong. As you saw, by getting in close you can meter for your subject. This isn't always possible, so you sometimes have to use Exposure Compensation; if the subject's dark against a light background (a person out in the sun with their back to it) you need to add light (+EC). If you're photographing something light against a dark background, you need to take away light (-EC) to make it come out better.

Hi,

Thanks for the advice.

Btw long exposure means slow shutter speed right?

Cheekiang
Canon IXUS 850

That's right.