What's the Rule of Thumb for Avoiding Dark Photos on Sunny Days?

[kcjodih]

Okay I have a fairly decent camera that I paid good money for but I suck at photography. All I'm asking for is clear pictures of my family. It looks great on the screen, I take the pic and it comes back all dark because of shadows. So my question is what is the rule of thumb? Is the sun supposed to be behind the photographer or the subject? I can never remember and must be doing the same thing over and over because the darn pictures are dark at their faces and sunny all around them.

We leave on a mini vacation tomorrow for 5 days and I want to get it right this time!!!!! :cry::cry:

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

If you don't know how to make the adjustments for what is called "back lighting" then the simple rule of thumb is the sun should always be behind the camera. Shooting into the sun will result in the subject being dark. Also, never shoot into a window or doorway where the light behind the window or door is bright. That's called "backlighting" and the camera will adjust for that light, making everything in front of it very dark.

 

[kcjodih]

If you don't know how to make the adjustments for what is called "back lighting" then the simple rule of thumb is the sun should always be behind the camera. Shooting into the sun will result in the subject being dark.

Also, never shoot into a window or doorway where the light behind the window or door is bright. That's called "backlighting" and the camera will adjust for that light, making everything in front of it very dark.

LOL...I know nothing except point and click but thank you soooo much KG that's exactly what I needed to know - sun behind the camera not the subject! Woohoo, I'm gonna take some pictures, I'm gonna take some pictures, I'm gonna take some pictures ..... and HOPEFULLY they'll turn out! :sing:

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

BTW, the proper time to practice with your camera before you leave on vacation tomorrow is about two weeks ago.That said, you might try this website that offers some basic camera knowledge.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I always remember that rule cuz everytime my mom took pictures of us outside...I can remember my eyes watering from having the sun in my face! So...remember to keep whoever you are taking the picture of "uncomfortable" like my brother and I had to be!! lol

 

[PampChefJoy]

If you can find open shade, that is the best place to shoot. Under a big shady tree, in the shade of a tall building, etc. If you are shooting in the sun, you can have the sun anywhere, but if you are shooting into the sun, turn on your flash (you should be able manually override the auto flash and make it go), so that the flash fills in the faces even though the sun is in the background. You can also have the sun to your side but depending on where the sun it, you might up with dark shadows on half the face/body.

Backlighting can actually make for some very stunning and powerful images... such as a beach at sunset. Where are you going on vacation?

 

[kcjodih]

If you can find open shade, that is the best place to shoot. Under a big shady tree, in the shade of a tall building, etc. If you are shooting in the sun, you can have the sun anywhere, but if you are shooting into the sun, turn on your flash (you should be able manually override the auto flash and make it go), so that the flash fills in the faces even though the sun is in the background. You can also have the sun to your side but depending on where the sun it, you might up with dark shadows on half the face/body.

Backlighting can actually make for some very stunning and powerful images... such as a beach at sunset. Where are you going on vacation?

Wow so much to learn/remember! Thanks Joy I'm going to print this thread out and practice/study, study, study.

We're heading to Lake George NY. We go every year to this wonderful campground. Quiet lake, lazy river, in the woods, with the mountains in the background. Then of course to appease the children we'll spend one day at Six Flags. It's about 6 - 7 hours from our place here in south eastern Ontario.

 

[PampChefJoy]

Sounds lovely! You should be able to find lots of open shade in the woods (watch out for dappled sunlight though). What kind of camera do you have? Does it have manual settings?

 

[kcjodih]

LOL I have NO idea. We had a Canon something or other that broke on us and DH just bought one two days ago and spent good money on it. It's an early anniversary present to us since our 15th anniversary is this upcoming Thursday. However he's taken it to my son's last day at goalie camp an hour a way from here. I DO know it has manual settings though since DH was talking about those last night.

 

[DebbieJ]

Like Joy said, if you do have shadows on their faces, force the flash on.

 

[Mr. Pampered Chef]

the simple rule of thumb is the sun should always be behind the camera. Shooting into the sun will result in the subject being dark. Also, never shoot into a window or doorway where the light behind the window or door is bright. That's called "backlighting" and the camera will adjust for that light, making everything in front of it very dark.

Yup these are good rules togo by, also invest in a good photo editor and use software to 'fake' the back lighting. Adobe Lightroom is great and cheap, I thnk even free, picasa is another good one from Google..then there's the heavy duty Photoshop, which is the one use. good luck.

 

[PampChefJoy]

There is probably not enough time to give you a crash course in manual settings, but definitely see how you can force the flash on... if it's an SLR (40D, Rebel XTi or XSi), then there is a little button on the side with a little lightning bolt -- push that to pop the flash up.

If you have a point and shoot, like an Elph or Powershot, then you have to go into menu and cycle through until you see the lightning bolt option... make sure it's not on "auto" but on the lightning bolt. Auto will turn it off in sunlight.

 

[kcjodih]

There is probably not enough time to give you a crash course in manual settings, but definitely see how you can force the flash on... if it's an SLR (40D, Rebel XTi or XSi), then there is a little button on the side with a little lightning bolt -- push that to pop the flash up.

If you have a point and shoot, like an Elph or Powershot, then you have to go into menu and cycle through until you see the lightning bolt option... make sure it's not on "auto" but on the lightning bolt. Auto will turn it off in sunlight.

Woohoo! Even I understand that! I think I need to let DH drive a little tomorrow so I can play/practice. Usually I drive (control thing) and he sleeps but he may just have to help out tomorrow. Thanks Joy! Back to packing I go..