BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Exposure Settings

Photography Question 

Eva M. Loretta
 

Subject with Sunrise Behind


Any recommendations on how to photograph a marathon runner? He'll be in aposition with the rising sun behind him. I'm not quite sure what settings would give best results. Thanks for the input.


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April 16, 2006

 

A C
  Use your flash ... unless you want a silhouette!


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April 16, 2006

 

Peter Hundley
  Fill flash would probbaly give the best balance, but sometimes doesn't look natural (IMHO), and might be difficult if you're not close enough.

Or set you exposure (manually) for the runner, which will overexpose the sky.... It all depends on what you're trying to accomplish...


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April 17, 2006

 

Eva M. Loretta
  I'm actually inquiring for my friend whos husband will be in the marathon in Florida Keys......

She is just wanting to quickly jump in front of him to get a photograph.....
thanks again for the input!!


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April 17, 2006

 

Steve E. Beust
  That's going to be one tough exposure, backlit with motion involved. You could take your exposure from the sky but keep the sun out of it or you will have a silhouette. Fill flash or flash will help but you need to be close enough for that to work. I would suggest panning the shot. This will give her a good image of the ruuer and show motion instead of a static shot. I would highly recommend practicing first. It takes some technique to get it right.


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April 18, 2006

 

Jim Gerkin
  I have had luck with a "test person". Go out and practice before the race. Try these three tips, 1.Pick a spot where the sun isn't a problem, 2 Expose the shot for the test person in a simalar spot with simalar clothes at the same time the runner is expected, 3. a sillhouette could be cool!! just make sure you isolate your runner and not a group.
Good luck!


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April 18, 2006

 

anonymous A.
  If you camera allows it, try using your autobracket setting to give a range of exposure on, under and over the metered exposure; nearly all SLRs and many compacts have this feature, so check you manual or menu and have a practice with it before the event. It might also be useful to set your camera centre-weighted or even spot metering. Jim's suggestion of a test dummmy (oops.."person") would let you see how these approaches work for you, but if the test person is not practical, this should assure you of some usable images.


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April 18, 2006

 

Richard H. Turpin
  If trying to use flash with a bright background some cameras will disable the flash (the bright light tells the camera that flash is not needed). If you decide to use flash, be certain to set the camera to flash no matter what (non 'auto' mode). Many cameras have such a setting. The flash units on many newer cameras are pretty amazing in my experience, so it might be worth a try.


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April 27, 2006

 

Slim Brady
  light meter your hand, and lock the exposure -1. Or light meter with your shutter set to the rate of the run if you want to freeze the action. Add flash if you like that look. If you dont, do as I do. Tripod the shot metered for them, then after they have passed light meter the sky and shoot again. If there are to many people then shoot it out of focus. Then merge the photos in photoshop. There is a slight hallo effect but I like that better then flash.


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April 27, 2006

 
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