Too dark
Uploaded: April 20, 2002 09:14:02
With Flash on
Piper Lehman April 20, 2002
Sam,Actually, this is a nice exposure. Yes, the person is now a silhouette, but I like the effect here. I you want the person to be exposed correctly, you're going to have to change your position for a shot like this. Find a place where the light falling on both subjects is nearer to even. Side note: If you had spot metered off the person here, your background would've gone the opposite direction and burnt completely out, I think. This is a nice shot. You just need to decide what's most important--do you want a picture of your friend with the cathedral in the background, or were you after the cathedral as the main subject and the person added to the shot? Don't be discouraged. This exposure difference doesn't just happen to you! HA. It is the camera that is lacking. (No camera can handle an exposure gap like this.) #4988
Piper Lehman April 20, 2002
Sam, I just now noticed that you say your flash was used in this shot. Are you certain that the flash actually fired??? If you didn't force it, sometimes the flash will refuse to fire because it reads the light as adequate (your camera's meter is reading the light from the cathedral, not the person). I suggest you pick up Jim's new book (on the home page). I'm reading it right now, and it has helped remind me of the things I sometimes forget about the unforgiving nature of camera meters and film. Just remember, cameras are stupid. You have to teach them to do as you say. #7137Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Sam Sam.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!