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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Blue skies with pretty clouds... Tips? Settings?
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 04/30/2007 08:18:42 PM · #1
So, I was taking a lovely couple's photos the other day, and the sky was perfect. But of course, when I snapped the picture, the sky didn't show up blue and white.

Is there a setting I can try to get to to make this happen? Is it something to do with aperture? Do I need to be pointing at certain angles from the sun?

I have managed to make it work in the past, but I have never memorized what exactly works. How can i get a lovely sky AND properly exposed people?

Tips? Settings? Suggestions?
 04/30/2007 08:24:53 PM · #2
Use a circular polarizer. It reduces the amount of reflected/omni-directional light... it really increases the contrast and brings out the darker blues in the sky.
 04/30/2007 08:26:51 PM · #3
Originally posted by zayneelady:
But of course, when I snapped the picture, the sky didn't show up blue and white.


What did it show up as?
 04/30/2007 08:27:40 PM · #4
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
What did it show up as?


Purple and orange, of course. :)
 04/30/2007 08:32:19 PM · #5

Purple and orange, of course. :)

I WISH!!!

nah... Just bland, washed out whitish. I'll try to post it... It's still SOOC.
 04/30/2007 08:35:27 PM · #6
deleted

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 22:16:54.
 04/30/2007 08:36:13 PM · #7
deleted

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 22:17:19.
 04/30/2007 08:36:55 PM · #8
I don't think you can link a photo from blogger.
 04/30/2007 08:37:18 PM · #9
Yes a CPL will help, as it will darken the blue of the sky (dependent on filter angle and sun angle.

Also, be aware that your eye is much more sensitive than the camera. Sometimes to get a good shot, people will use "contrast mapping", which involves taking 2 photos, one exposed for the people, and one exposed for the sky. These are then merged in photoshop to give the best exposure over the whole image. This is sometimes taken to the extreme, using even 5 or more images exposed slightly differently.

A third solution is to use a graduated ND filter. This works best with a Cokin filter system, and takes a little time to setup to get a good result.
04/30/2007 08:39:24 PM · #10
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
Sometimes to get a good shot, people will use "contrast mapping", which involves taking 2 photos, one exposed for the people, and one exposed for the sky. These are then merged in photoshop to give the best exposure over the whole image. This is sometimes taken to the extreme, using even 5 or more images exposed slightly differently.


ooohhh.... good idea! Makes sense!

Will the CPL affect skin tones/people?
 04/30/2007 08:59:01 PM · #11
Meter the sky and set your camera for that (on manual). Then use a reflector and/or flash to bring up the light on the couple. That way you keep the sky blue while exposing the couple properly.
 04/30/2007 09:05:21 PM · #12


Here is just one example of where I metered the sky first, then, using off-camera flash I light the couple (you can tell by the shadows that my flash is on my left). Without the flash the couple would have been much darker (the shadows give some indication as to how dark they would have been). Or else I would have to lighten them up by exposing for them, and then the sky would no longer have been blue.

For reference, this image has not been "edited" except to reduce the size, sharpen and add a border. So the blue sky is not the result of any PS work.

04/30/2007 09:34:51 PM · #13
Blue skies are usually midtone so meter off that. The rest just falls into place (as long as your subject is not in shadow of course).

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 21:35:04.
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