How to shoot in a situation like this..

I was doing camping in lake george (glenn island) yesterday. I took many of my family pictures in the island, family members being foreground and lake as background. I was shooting at 3pm and it was sunny.

I initially was using landscape WB, with this WB, background looks great but foreground was significantly underexposed. Then I changed the WB to shade, forground looks great but background was washed out..

I know camera metering is so stupid that it doesn't behave like our eyes.

Any intelligent tips to improve pictures in these conditions without buying extra gear.

Thanks

Post a few examples with EXIF data intact..

WB has nothing to do with exposure.

From what you describe, sounds like you wanted to expose for the bright background, but would then need some flash to properly expose the people in the foreground. If you wanted the shadow area exposed properly, you'll have to accept the bright background being blown out.

Other than that, HDR is probably your only other option.

ALWAYS a good idea!

This shows how the subject can affect the exposure & why manual keeps me worry free:
Post #47

First set the f-stop & shutter speed you need. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?