Shooting in midday sun - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/12/2009 02:09:39 PM · #1

I have a photoshoot in early October involving a whole team--hair, makeup, wardrobe, and professional model. I however, lack a.) any lighting and b.) time to shoot other than midday on. The wardrobe stylist needs 6-8 looks, and so our call time is 9AM, and the shoot will start probably around 11 or 12. Short of hoping like hell for an overcast day (which I am, believe me) how can I shoot in the midday sun without screwing up all my photos then? Unless it's overcast, there's no shade where we're shooting, and I know that light just kills photos--failure isn't an option here. Help?

Intelli

Nikon D300

09/12/2009 02:15:57 PM · #2

Weather Manipulation

franktheyank

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/12/2009 02:17:26 PM · #3

You need some large translucent reflectors. Have an assistant hold one above the model as close as possible. Use another below the face for close ups, or at a short distance to get the right effect.

09/12/2009 02:49:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by Intelli:

Weather Manipulation

That doesn't help me, dear.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

09/12/2009 02:50:52 PM · #5

Originally posted by franktheyank:

You need some large translucent reflectors. Have an assistant hold one above the model as close as possible. Use another below the face for close ups, or at a short distance to get the right effect.

I've had my eye on a 42" 5 in one reflector for a while now--I would need two though, definitely? I see where you're coming from. Is there something besides a small reflector I can use to angle towards her face? My money flow is so tight it's sad.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

09/12/2009 02:54:06 PM · #6

Without any strobes, your only hope is to use reflectors creatively enough to make this work. If you don't have/can't get professional reflectors, use the DIY versions; car windshield sun-shades, tin foil on cardboard, or foamcore sheets. Reflected light doesn't travel well, so you'll need to keep the reflectors in about as close as possible to the model, without them being visible in the shots. You will need an assistant - there's no way around this. The other thing to do is make sure that the light is hitting the model - not head on, but at a slight angle to one side or the other. If you get the sun around behind her, you may not be able to reflect enough light back onto her face to fill the shadows (on the other hand, if you find you can reflect enough light to do this, try it!).

An overcast day will make your exposures more manageable, but remember it will also give you less light to reflect.

Everything I've read about shooting like this - and from what I've done myself - says that the trick is to underexpose the BG by about a stop, and boost the model back up to correct exposure. Usually this means shooting the model in the shade if possible, and in either case requires a strobe. You lack both shade and strobes... Sorry to say, I don't envy you right now :-)

Good luck!

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/12/2009 02:56:14 PM · #7

You might want to rent a flash from a local camera store if failure is not an option. The reflectors are a great idea though you should have a flash on hand as well, imo. I have seen people use large pieces of whiteboard for filling light in as well, it can be picked up cheap at a local craft store.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

09/12/2009 03:10:57 PM · #8

I'm assuming you mean a speedlite flash? I have a diffuser for my on camera flash, but that's not up to snuff. For what I can afford financially, my photography jobs are in way over my head at the moment, it's absurd with no income and no way to get an income. How would I use a flash in that scenario to help, with the addition of reflectors?

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

09/12/2009 03:12:14 PM · #9

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Originally posted by franktheyank:
You need some large translucent reflectors. Have an assistant hold one above the model as close as possible. Use another below the face for close ups, or at a short distance to get the right effect.

I've had my eye on a 42" 5 in one reflector for a while now--I would need two though, definitely? I see where you're coming from. Is there something besides a small reflector I can use to angle towards her face? My money flow is so tight it's sad.

For $120 you can get one of the LumoPro flashes from Mpex.com - by all reports a very good manual flash. Or for $40-$80 you can get an older used flash from eBay. Couple either with a cheap off-camera cord - or even used on-camera - and you're suddenly in a much better position.

My point is, if you're going to spend money on reflectors, you'd be better off scraping together a bit more for a flash - more bang for your buck. Especially when you can DIY the reflectors for cheap.

This photo was shot outdoors in the afternoon with a single flash, on a lightstand (off-camera). So if you can get a flash and an off-camera cord, tape the flash to a broomstick and stick it in the ground if you have to. Go for the max sync speed, lowest ISO, and find an aperture that balances the whole thing off at worst, or drops the ambient down a stop and gets the model perfectly, at best. Keep the flash close to the model to get the most of its light.

Take a look at this setup, and imagine replacing the front flash/reflector setup with several foamcore reflectors. Add in your single flash a bit farther back, and you should be able to get something working.

If you are totally unable to find a way to get a flash, PM me. I have one I don't use much that I could let you borrow. I know I have a sync-adapter left over from my 300D that will work. And I might - might - still have an off-camera cord lying around.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/12/2009 03:20:20 PM · #10

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Or for $40-$80 you can get an older used flash from eBay. Couple either with a cheap off-camera cord - or even used on-camera - and you're suddenly in a much better position.

You can do even better, but maybe not with such limited time. I have a couple of these Vivitar 2800-D flashes for use as slaves. One was $5 on the bargain table at a local camera shop, the second one I found just the other day at a pawn shop for $15.

Added: The site where I found the previously linked image looks like it might be a good place to find some of this stuff. Collectible Cameras.

Message edited by author 2009-09-12 15:23:16.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

09/12/2009 03:28:14 PM · #11

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
Or for $40-$80 you can get an older used flash from eBay. Couple either with a cheap off-camera cord - or even used on-camera - and you're suddenly in a much better position.

You can do even better, but maybe not with such limited time. I have a couple of these Vivitar 2800-D flashes for use as slaves. One was $5 on the bargain table at a local camera shop, the second one I found just the other day at a pawn shop for $15.

Added: The site where I found the previously linked image looks like it might be a good place to find some of this stuff. Collectible Cameras.

Lucky bastard. :P

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/12/2009 03:30:34 PM · #12

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Lucky bastard. :P

I'm a bargain hunter, but finding those deals takes time and patience. I almost had a Macro lens for $20. I bought a Canon EOS IX for $20, and it has a Sigma 28-80mm macro on it. Does not work on my Rebel, however. Not sure if it is broken or just a compatibility problem with the newer digital. I need to contact Sigma and see if they have any info.

Message edited by author 2009-09-12 15:36:25.

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/12/2009 03:35:15 PM · #13

Find the shade and bounce light back! Put your model in the shade and bounce the light with a reflector. If you cannot bounce the light then use a flash(when you get one, I would suggest renting one for the day from Henry's in Newmarket) Now when you use your flash you will need to soften that light with a Gary Fong lightsphere. Set your flash on ETTL and it will provide fill light for the shadows.

I wouldn't fret about shooting in midday! Like I said find the shade and go from there.

Here are a couple of examples of shots taken in the shade with flash.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/12/2009 03:36:49 PM · #14

Originally posted by LVicari:

There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

Trumpeteer4

Nikon D7000

09/12/2009 03:48:05 PM · #15

White reflectors are best for reflecting direct sunlight as they will provide a softer reflection. If your going for a harsher look you could use silver, but it may blind your model. lol. You can use a white foam core board found at crafting stores for a reflector, I think you can pick them up for under 10 dollars. Also if you have a flash that has a head that you can turn, you should be able to bounce that off of a reflector for more flexibility with light direction.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

09/12/2009 04:03:42 PM · #16

Originally posted by sammigurl:

There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

You might be able to rent one of those pop-up canopy things from a party supply store ...

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/12/2009 04:06:51 PM · #17

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Originally posted by LVicari:
Find the shade and bounce light back! Put your model in the shade and bounce the light with a reflector. If you cannot bounce the light then use a flash(when you get one, I would suggest renting one for the day from Henry's in Newmarket) Now when you use your flash you will need to soften that light with a Gary Fong lightsphere. Set your flash on ETTL and it will provide fill light for the shadows.

I wouldn't fret about shooting in midday! Like I said find the shade and go from there.

Here are a couple of examples of shots taken in the shade with flash.

There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

NO shade!Where are you shooting? I am in Aurora all the time, I might be familiar with the location. If thats the case you better book an appointment with their eye doctor to fix their retna :)

Edit : I can't type

Message edited by author 2009-09-12 16:07:36.

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

09/12/2009 04:26:30 PM · #18

Originally posted by LVicari:

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Originally posted by LVicari:
Find the shade and bounce light back! Put your model in the shade and bounce the light with a reflector. If you cannot bounce the light then use a flash(when you get one, I would suggest renting one for the day from Henry's in Newmarket) Now when you use your flash you will need to soften that light with a Gary Fong lightsphere. Set your flash on ETTL and it will provide fill light for the shadows.

I wouldn't fret about shooting in midday! Like I said find the shade and go from there.

Here are a couple of examples of shots taken in the shade with flash.

There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

NO shade!Where are you shooting? I am in Aurora all the time, I might be familiar with the location. If thats the case you better book an appointment with their eye doctor to fix their retna :)

Edit : I can't type

The middle of a random field, off Yonge and Bloomington. Trees are all the way off to one side, and we can't trek through all that. We might be able to find some shade, but that's entirely dependent on where the sun in the sky is then.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

09/12/2009 04:26:39 PM · #19

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by sammigurl:
There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

You might be able to rent one of those pop-up canopy things from a party supply store ...

You've been reading Strobist, eh? The only problem with those would be balancing the shaded model with the sun-lit background. Could reflectors overcome that?

I'm going to ship a Nikon flash and an off-camera cord up to

sammigurl, so at least she'll have one light to work with. It'll all be manual flash shooting, so if anyone has some good tips for her, I'm sure it'd be appreciated.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/12/2009 04:36:46 PM · #20

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by sammigurl:
There's no shade where I'm shooting, unfortunately. =/

You might be able to rent one of those pop-up canopy things from a party supply store ...

You've been reading Strobist, eh? The only problem with those would be balancing the shaded model with the sun-lit background. Could reflectors overcome that?

I'm going to ship a Nikon flash and an off-camera cord up to sammigurl, so at least she'll have one light to work with. It'll all be manual flash shooting, so if anyone has some good tips for her, I'm sure it'd be appreciated.

Definitely. And thank you, again.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

09/12/2009 05:23:42 PM · #21

If you have bright sunlight, then you don't necessarily need reflectors. Instead, you could use a scrim to act as a diffuser and soften the existing light. I watched a movie crew film a scene for the movie "The Hunted" in downtown Portland and they used large scrims. You could make your own with some lightweight ripstop nylon material and some PVC pipe or aluminum tubing.

Do-It-Yourself Scrim for Better Outdoor Portraits

kandykarml

Nikon D80

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/12/2009 05:38:29 PM · #22

White poster board will act as a good reflector of light also.. You can get it from your local craft store or even a regular store like walmart that sells pretty much anything...

Also, by accident I found out that the canopy we use when we go to the lake works perfectly for times that I'm out shooting in a place that shade and lighting is going to be an issue.. It's cheap, I think we paid like $75 for it at Walmart, it has a white top so it doesn't reflect any color and it's open all the way around.. Super easy to set up too.. I realized that the only pictures I liked from the lake were the ones I took of the people sitting under the canopy and then, dingggg.. the infamous lightbulb turned on.. So, just another option I'm throwing out there.. You could very easily place your models under the canopy, still have the background totally in view, still have someone reflecting light on them and get the shot..

Kinda like an uber cheap version of this..
the real thing

yanko

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

09/12/2009 05:52:25 PM · #23

Originally posted by Mick:

Depending on how creative you are you may just need a paper clip. :P Seriously though, I would bring along both the scrim and reflector as that would give you better control over both the quality and the direction of the light without having to rely on your surrounding environment.