BetterPhoto Member |
shooting zoom pictures in bright sunlight I would like some advice on shooting zoom pictures in bright sunlight. The only time I can really use is early morning and late afternoon, so the number of pictures is limited by the sun. I can't afford studio lights, so I shoot my pictures outside. I have Sony Cyber-shot camera with zeiss lenses (8 megapixels). I take pictures of jewelry I make so I need a lot of light but too much of it results in harsh contrast... Any advice? Thank you
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Michael H. Cothran |
Elaine, It isn't the 'QUANTITY' of light that makes your images harsh, but the 'QUALITY' of light. Remember that! There's also a good possibility that your camera's meter is being fooled, especially if you are using a dark background for your jewelry, which would make your images washed out, and seem very harsh. More on this below. Taking 'studio-type' pictures outside is not that complicated, but you do need to understand your light better. Here's a simple solution - Where do you get a transluscent panel, you ask?? Many commercial manufacturers offer them in a variety of sizes and fabrics. Check out some Studio lighting firms like Photoflex, Chimera, and lots others. They can be somewhat pricey, but they work. If you are using your in-camera meter, you will need to bracket your shots to determine the best exposure. If your background is dark, you will probably need to UNDER expose anywhere from -.5 to -1.5. Remember, a dark background will fool your meter into thinking that there isn't much light, thus your meter will try to OVER expose in order to compensate, so you, in turn, must UNDER expose to compensate for the meter's miscompensation!! How much to compensate is difficult to say since every background and jewelry piece will 'read' a little different. That is why you bracket, and if you shoot -.5, -1.0, and -1.5, one of them should be right. If your camera reads in thirds, use -.7, -1.3, and -2.0.
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