Posted by Barry Southon on August 19, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Time and time again I encounter light problems more often than not its Harsh. I'm interested to hear how you deal with the problem and moreover can it be used to advantage if so how?
In my non informed way I have tried a few different approaches and with my limited PP expertise a huge amount has hit the recycle bin.
This Northern Cardinal female is such an example a heavy crop eliminating harsh light and she is large in the frame but I have tried to use the light.
Canon 1D mk3 Canon 800mm ISO 400 1/400sec f/5.6 on tripod in a hide located in our garden at 18:56hrs 08/06/09 RAW to lightroom then PS to crop and resize.
Its not the light thats so much of a problem here but the branch behind the bird-if you could have shot side on just having the bird on the perch it would be pretty good-if the light is harsh and you need to shoot then use fill flash to try and balance the light and shadows, I only normally shoot early and late when its super hot and cloudless
Dave
Posted by Jeroen Stel on August 20, 2009 at 3:10 AM
I have been experimenting with harsh light to get different results in my Kingfisher shots this season and as long as you use it as sidelight and underexpose enough it can provide you with great results.
Not everybody loves it as it can look as if the image was shot during the night with flash but if you have 12000 Kingfishers in regular light you want something else every now and then..
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by David Taylor on August 20, 2009 at 5:04 AM
If the lighting is 'harsh' and you have recorded it accurately then that is as it should be IMHO.
I agree with Dave about the rear branch, but still a very nice shot.
I'm a big fan of black BGs so I think Jeroen's image is great. Keep pushing those bounderies. plough your own furrow, etc,etc.
That's a good looking species you've captured here. Only nit is the small part of the branch sticking out from above the head.
Using reflectors, diffusion or fill in flash can help when the light is overly harsh.
Personally I prefer to deal with harsh light with a good book, an ice cold glass of lemonade and a bottle of suntan lotion. Suitably rested and all rearing to go for when the light turns golden
Discussion
4 repliesIn my non informed way I have tried a few different approaches and with my limited PP expertise a huge amount has hit the recycle bin.
This Northern Cardinal female is such an example a heavy crop eliminating harsh light and she is large in the frame but I have tried to use the light.
Canon 1D mk3 Canon 800mm ISO 400 1/400sec f/5.6 on tripod in a hide located in our garden at 18:56hrs 08/06/09 RAW to lightroom then PS to crop and resize.
Thanks for looking.
Critique Advice Comments most welcome.
Dave
Not everybody loves it as it can look as if the image was shot during the night with flash but if you have 12000 Kingfishers in regular light you want something else every now and then..
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
I agree with Dave about the rear branch, but still a very nice shot.
I'm a big fan of black BGs so I think Jeroen's image is great. Keep pushing those bounderies. plough your own furrow, etc,etc.
Using reflectors, diffusion or fill in flash can help when the light is overly harsh.
Personally I prefer to deal with harsh light with a good book, an ice cold glass of lemonade and a bottle of suntan lotion. Suitably rested and all rearing to go for when the light turns golden