Backgounds getting blown out! Help!

I would like some help technique wise on how to not have blown out backgrounds in my photos (e.g. during sunny days outside). When taking pictures of people or smaller subjects I usually:

1) Frame the photo tighter around the subject so the background (if blown out) is not as obvious
2) Underexpose based on the camera's exposure meter and use a fill flash to make sure the subjects in the foreground are properly exposed.

So my question is (assuming you only have a flash attached to the hot shoe): if you have larger objects (such as buildings) in the foreground or you have to stand further away (therefore can't use hot shoe fill flash) how do you make sure both the foreground and background is properly exposed if it is sunny out?

For large subjects like a building you either don't include the sky or wait until the sky is not so bright (sunrise, sunset, dusk, frontlit building on a clear day). Also you can forget using a flash to illuminate a building, it's way to big.

Merge exposures in PS

René Damkot wrote in post #5808282
Merge exposures in PS

So is that like taking 2 shots? One with the background properly exposed then another with the foreground properly exposed then merge in PS? If this is the case how do you (without a tripod) shoot 2 shots that will perfectly merge. When you change the settings chances are there will be slight differences in the positioning of the frame.

Ken this was shot underexposed. Well depends on cloud coverage.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

I shoot RAW & that allows me to process 2 images at different "exposures" & blend them in PS.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #5808814
I shoot RAW & that allows me to process 2 images at different "exposures" & blend them in PS.

Sounds like a plan.

Steve

big_apple_ken wrote in post #5808479
So is that like taking 2 shots? One with the background properly exposed then another with the foreground properly exposed then merge in PS? If this is the case how do you (without a tripod) shoot 2 shots that will perfectly merge. When you change the settings chances are there will be slight differences in the positioning of the frame.

Without a tripod you're going to have to line the images up afterward. Can work okay, and PSCS3 makes this a lot easier, but it still is a pain in the behind in PSCS2.

Using two "exposures" from one Raw works, but has a more limited range.

Tripods are your friend

Every picture you take will have a different technique that would best manage blown backgrounds. Some will benefit most from two merged pics, others may need to be bracketed at the time you took the pic and in many cases using a circular polarizer can go far to help with blown backgrounds depending on the conditions. It’s probably best if you post an example of a picture that went bad.