 Kathy L. Pollick |
Taking Pictures During Midday I took some pictures at the local park on my lunch hour one day (1:00 pm). The (film) pictures consisted of mostly water and ducks. (I don't have the digital prints back yet to post the examples.) But I'm curious why the pictures look so blah. The ducks were in the sun, and I was in the shade. I used all auto programming and couldn't use my polarizer with my zoom lens. The pictures for the most part all looked the same. The water had a greenish cast, the ducks, though Mallards, all looked brownish, green, and there was very little brilliant color anywhere in the picture. I also took a picture of the water as it ran under an iron bridge. Even that just didn't have the bold colors that some pictures do. Is it because these were taken at 1:00?? I've read a lot about not taking pictures during the day because of the bright sun. I like to go to the park at lunch as it is relaxing and breaks up the day, but if it is completely a horrible time to take pix, I guess I'll have to take a book instead of my camera. What about resorting to taking pix in the shade, during that time of day? Will they be better? I'll have to post a sample when I get the digital shots back from the lab. Thanks for the help.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Bob Cammarata |
Film records harsh midday light differently than our eyes and brain perceive it. Highlights can wash out and lose color, and shadow areas will lack detail. The fact that you were standing in the shade wouldn't make any difference as long as your lens coverage was in the sun-lit area. Your auto-settings would have set the exposure accordingly. As to the greenish tinge to the water ... possibly a printing error or a reflection of the overhead canopy of trees. It's tough to say exactly without seeing an example.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Philip Pankov |
Shooting in midday light is the worst time of the day to do any photography. Sunset/sunrise is the TIME to shoot:-) Regards,
|
|
|
|
||
|
BetterPhoto Member |
Don't lose heart. There are some things that can cause what happened in your prints, most of which were mentioned by Bob. Reflection from trees. Harsh light slightly overexposed. Sometimes it is best to take pictures an hour or two on either side of 'high noon'. But there are also other wonderful possibilities. Texture and contrast. Texture is when light is from the side of your subject and there are many dark shadows in a very small area, such as tree bark. Contrast can be a useful tool when conveying themes such as heat, for example. Metering can be tricky and I suggest reading up on the Zone System created by Ansel Adams, available in his book 'The Negative'. NEVER leave the camera. Because the best shot you miss will be one on a day when you left it at home from discouragement or otherwise. It takes a lot of practice. Keep on keepin' on.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Barbara Wenneberg |
I've learned NEVER to take pictures outside between 10 AM and 3 PM. but if you have to a polarizer will help a little.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Roy Blinston |
(1) Use your manual settings (not auto); (2) Try under-exposing some frames for more saturation; (3) if you are close enough, use some fill in flash; (4) buy a polarizer to match your zoom lens - it will be worth it; (5) change your angle of view more often (experiment); (6) check for colour casts from trees per your angle.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Mikki Cowles |
I go by the motto, "When the lighting's bad, go for the details..." I get most of my outdoor macro shots in the brightest, hottest time of the day where there is plenty of light for details to show up...so instead of your book, just take a macro lens..:o)
|
|
|
|
||
|
Kathy L. Pollick |
Thanks all of you. Some good suggestions. I'll have to experiment & see what happens!!
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||