Newb help

I am having a horrible time with backlighting, especially overcast with a wide pic. seems to blow out pic...any general suggestions? I know, i know very broad question......feel free for broad answers, just learning.

Depends on what you are talking about, are you talking about skies? When shooting buildings and no ND filters or CPL, I like to underexpose by 2/3 (or there abouts) and all seems well. Seems to keep everything in check without any major issues.

Maybe others have different methods.

There is always a limit to dynamic range. That is the amount of information between the whitest white and the blackest black in your photo. With backlight or bright sky situations, the sky is too bright to be rendered properly with the same exposure as the foreground. You simply can't have both in one frame exposure.

Solutions...

expose for the foreground: go to M manual mode and set your exposure so the foreground is properly exposed. Or use exposure compensation to dial down (-1 or -2 stops). Centerweighted vs Evaluative is often better if your subject is centered in a backlight situation.

add more light to the foreground: pop off your flash, setup a reflector, etc

take multiple frames from the same spot: and combine the sky back in later

add a filter: that darkens the sky but leaves the foreground clear (graduated neutral density)

shoot RAW: and use the recovery slider

If you are able to zoom in closer to the object and then meter (or press * in Av mode) then zoom back out and snap the pic it might help if you are overexposing.

Try manual in those tough conditions. First set the f-stop & shutter speed you need. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?

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

Thanks for all the help!! It is appreciated!