Preserving Image Details

A reader just asked me this: "I love the way you shoot into the sun whilst still preserving the details in the image. I've been trying to accomplish the same thing without success. Do you use any filters for this?"

There are a few different aspects to preserving details when shooting. The first thing, is to turn on your highlight alert in your camera. The Canon cameras will make every pixel flash if it's blown out. This will help you make sure you're not blowing out the highlights on your subject. I shoot a lot of things back lit, and try to over expose as much as I can without blowing the highlights so I push the exposure until I see the highlight alert. Your subject is what needs not to be blown out because you can't get that information back in post if there is none there. Backgrounds are fine if they're blown.

A big thing I look for when shooting in natural light is sun and shade spots. I usually make sure my subject is fully in the sun, fully in the shade, or backlit where the subject's back is towards the sun. This creates an even light on the subject. Some people like spotty light and shadows on the subject, and if it's done right it works. My personal preference and style is even lighting on the subject. If I have an assistant, I like to use foam core as a bounce light.

This is for natural light scenarios. If you're using artificial light, you have to dial down your lights so they aren't blowing out on the high light areas.

If there is still information in the highlights, you can usually dial them back down in post a little.

I don't use any filters. What you see is straight out of the camera.

Comments

[Bryon DeVore]

Hi Nick,
Great post topic. If the person who asked you is anything like me, she's also wondering about the glare/flare that results from shooting straight into the sun like you often do. I've also experimented with this and find is very difficult to avoid "wash out" when the sun hits the lens. I love the flares that also result, but wonder how you think about the washout while shooting. I also wonder if the 35 and 50 primes that you use handle that better than say a 24-105L lens might. Maybe the 35 and 50L primes handle it even better than their less-expensive cousins as well?
Thanks!

[jay]

thanks for the tips! nice stuff

[Simon]

Great advice, thanks for your help Nick.

[Sherman]

I agree with you that the subject's face should be fully exposed without any shadows. It's a nice clean look and it works well. Also if there are shadows there it should be intentional, part of your vision of the photograph. As he first commenter said, shooting into the sun is hard since you can easily get too much flare or wash out. So as in all good photography it takes skill and practice and you do a good job of it. I like your practice of getting rid of unnecessary background clutter by simply blowing it out. Nice work.

[Hristo]

Thanks again Nick.

Great stuff.

[NormaParks]

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