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Photography Question 

aileen cockburn 		 

What do you think of this photo


 
  Fun in the sun
Fun in the sun
Taken yesterday, it was very sunny with no shade. Taken about 4.30 pm.

aileen cockburn

  
 
I took this yesterday at a friends wedding. It is not very good but I thought I would share with you all.
What could I have done to make it better. I was a little off centre as I was trying to stay out of the photographers way.
All advice welcome.
Aileen


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June 11, 2006

 

Pete H 		  Hello Aileen,

Ok...Pull no punches; right?
I'll start on a positive note...
Good composition overall..tells a story..yada-yada-yada.

Technically it leaves a lot to be desired.

1) Blown hi-lites
2) Harsh light..not your fault, but try to avoid hi sun angles for people.
3) Shadows on ground distracting.

To make it better?
Shoot when the sun is lower or find some shade.

Without some sort of light controlling devices, (scrims, gobos etc) this type of light is a photographers nightmare when photographing people.

All the best,

Pete


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June 11, 2006

 

Christopher A. Vedros 		  Aileen,
I don't think the off-center composition is a problem.

The time of day, and position of the sun, is usually something you can't control. ;-)

The only technical problem that I think really takes away from this photo are the blown out highlights on the white dresses. This could have been improved by underexposing the image.

I know that traditionally, it has always been recommended to overexpose what your meter indicates when the subject is a white dress in order to get the dress white and not gray.

I have found however, that the Digital Rebel/300D has a high tendency to blow out highlights like this, especially in high-contrast lighting situations like this image. I shoot in RAW, and usually shoot in Av mode with -1 stop of exposure compensation. I find it is much easier to lighten shadows than to correct a blown-out highlight.

Chris A. Vedros
www.cavphotos.com


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June 12, 2006

 

aileen cockburn 		  Hi chris
This photo was taken about 3.30 the temp was about 85degree with no cloud.
i dont have a meter (wouldnt know how to use it). What do you mean when you say you shoot in RAW and Av mode with -1 stop of exposure compensation. I am very keen to learn how tto take better photos.
i think I am good at seeing what would make a good photo but I cna never seem to get it right ie out of focus.
All help will be greatfully received.
thanks for taking the time to write.
Aileen


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June 12, 2006

 
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