Sunday, July 4, 2010

How I Made This: Overpowering the Sun

I'm sure you've all heard the term "Overpowering the sun", but what does it really mean? Simply put, overpowering the sun means producing enough flash power to properly expose for a subject or model while underexposing the ambient light. Typically these types of shots will have the model backlit by the sun and front lit by a flash.
Here's an example:

As you can see the I was able to keep all the detail of the sunrise without overexposing. Without any flash the subject would be in complete shadow. I added flash to properly light the subject. My flash only affects my subject therefore I keep the same vibrant look to the sunrise.

As the sun gets high in the sky and the light from the sun gets brighter, you'll have to increase the power of your flash. Why? Before we answer that, let's talk about just exposing for the ambient or available light. To be able to get the proper exposure of a bright sky, or take it even more dramatic and underexpose the bright sky, your camera has to be able to take in less light in a shorter amount of time. To be able to do this, you'll want your camera's settings to be at the lowest ISO possible, have a small aperture, and a fast shutter speed. The shutter speed has to be fast but it can't be faster than the fastest sync speed that your camera can sync to a flash. This is usually 1/200 -1/250.

I start out by getting my camera's exposure set to achieve the look I want. At this point, I'm just concerned with the available light, not using flash yet. Once I get my base exposure, I'll get the subject in place and introduce flash. I don't use a light meter so I just take a best guess at the flash power, take a test shot and view my results on the back of my camera. I may have to make 1-2 more adjustments in the flash power but at this point I'm off and running.
Here's another expample:
I used a Canon EOS 7D with the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II for this shot. My camera exposure settings were f/11 / ISO250 / 1/250.
I lit the subject with an Einstein640 inside of a beauty dish to camera left. The power on the flash was set to somewhere near half power.

Here's another shot from the same day.
As the sun gets higher and the light it produces gets brighter, you'll have to change your camera's exposure settings to reduce the amount of light coming in. Since I was already at the lowest ISO and I was stuck with a 1/250 shutter speed (max sync speed for the 7D), I simply stopped down my aperture to f/18. The thing to keep in mind is, as you change the aperture on your camera, not only will that affect the ambient exposure, it will also affect the flash exposure. For this shot, I had to increase the power on the flash to almost full power.


So "overpowering the sun" means fighting light with light. Just make sure you bring a lot of light!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very helpful. Tell us more...

Anonymous said...

Meyda Tiffany lamps are one of the greatest creations [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany london[/URL][/B] under this label of luxurious lamps. These lamps are a statement of elegance [U][B]tiffany jewellery[/U][/B] and there is no mistaking their beauty. There is much enjoyment to be found in the [B]tiffany rings[/B] presence of these artistic light pieces.

Tiffany lighting first made its emergence on [B]tiffany bracelets[/B] the scene in the 19th century and they popularity continues today as the beauty that has [U][B]tiffany sets[/U][/B] started so long ago continues to light up many homes in this country. Although, originals of this type [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany uk[/URL][/B] of lighting are expensive and rare there are many reproductions that have [B]pandora bracelet[/B] passed down the look of the original handcrafted glass pieces.


The Meyda Tiffany lamps are just one of the many things this family-operated [B]tiffany jewellery[/B] business is busy with. There line of products includes man [U][B]tiffany sets[/U][/B] types of lighting as well as landscape lighting, novelty lighting, wall sconces and ceiling [U][B]tiffany[/U][/B] fixtures. Furniture and fireplace screens are also part of their [U]tiffany jewellery][/U] collection of products.


This company began by accident [B]tiffany jewellery[/B] what Ida Cohen requested her husband, Meyer, craft a stain glass window for the kitchen of their home. Enjoying the process, this [U]pandora bracelets[/U] hobby soon evolved into a profitable business. This glass [B]pandora jewellery[/B] lighting d¨¦cor began to be professionally manufactured. Meyda [B]tiffany[/B] Lighting was born from Meyer and Ida [B][URL=http://www.pandoraforyou.com]pandora beads[/URL][/B] and the rest is history.

While these products can be pricey, they offer high [B]tiffany earrings[/B] quality that is crafted using proven and tested techniques. But these [U][B]pandora bangles[/U][/B] elegant light fixtures are an investment that is worth having in [U][B]tiffany bracelets[/U][/B] any home or office. If you are looking for [U][B]tiffany[/U][/B] a d¨¦cor that is truly unique and will [U]tiffany jewellery][/U] standout Meyda tiffany lighting should be a definite consideration. Every [U][B]tiffany[/U][/B] single piece is created with a heart full of desire for absolute perfection in glass lighting. Even [U]pandora bracelet[/U] amidst the many imitators out there, the real creations of Meyda can easily [U][B]tiffany necklaces[/U][/B] be spotted since they stand out in the quality and overall appeal.

Anonymous said...

Trying to find an innovative and lucrative [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany co[/URL][/B] business? A business on sterling silver jewelries may just be the one you are [U][B]tiffany & co[/U][/B] looking for. It's never that too difficult to find reasonably priced Tiffany wholesale jewelry to get you [U][B]pandora beads[/U][/B] started on your way to being financially independent. The Internet is actually a good place [B]pandora jewelry[/B] to start. You virtually spend nothing to find the supplier you are seeking. No need to be technically knowledgeable to find [U]tiffany necklaces][/U] your valuable information, a simple understanding of how to operate the computer and use a reliable search [B]tiffany jewellery[/B] engine is all you need.

Once you find your tiffany wholesale supplier, your quest [U][B]pandora jewellery[/U][/B] doesn't end there. You need to understand jewelry selling basics and selecting the styles that are most appropriate [B]tiffany necklaces[/B] for your niche market as well as having the eye for designs that will [U]tiffany & co][/U] most likely sell. You must also learn the tricks of finding out which jewelry pieces are [B]pandora jewelry[/B] of superior quality. There are an abundant source of suppliers for Tiffany wholesale jewelry, you just need [B][URL=http://www.pandoraforyou.com]pandora jewelry[/URL][/B] to have that discriminating taste in ensuring you get to the best source. In this business, if you start with low quality [U]tiffany][/U] pieces, your business will suffer.

The key to a profitable and lucrative business is to build a [U][B]pandora bracelets[/U][/B] large customer base. In order for you to get customers to comeback you must be [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany pendants[/URL][/B] able to please them with the quality of your items as well as the attractiveness of your designs. Always find unique [U][B]tiffany charms[/U][/B] and stylish designs, you wouldn't want to sell everybody else is selling. If your pieces are just ok and plain you may have difficulty [U][B]tiffany earrings[/U][/B] keeping faithful customers. Aside from having quality merchandise you [U][B]pandora necklaces[/U][/B] also should be pricing them reasonably, not too expensive but not too cheap. Always make [B]tiffany necklaces[/B] your customers feel special in finding the best priced jewelries they [U][B]tiffany bracelets[/U][/B] can find.

A good plan is definitely in order, plunging head on [U]tiffany uk][/U] into a business is like committing financial suicide. If you [B]pandora[/B] want your business to workout you need to sit down and make [U][B]tiffany necklaces[/U][/B] a list of what you need to do to achieve your main goal [U]tiffany earrings][/U] of being the vendor of choice. A supplier of good quality Tiffany wholesale jewelries [U]tiffany][/U] should top the list, after all you shouldn't start any business if your [U][B]pandora bracelet[/U][/B] merchandise is not good at all.

Anonymous said...

Tiffany's jewelry is world famous company [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany[/URL][/B] and if you cannot afford the actual jewelry there are a lot of Tiffany inspired jewelry to choose [U]tiffany company jewelry[/U] from. While Tiffany's has produced some more [B]baltimore tiffany jewelry[/B] affordable pieces like key chains and [U][B]discount tiffany jewelry[/U][/B] money clips for those wanting the elegant pieces without the price tag there are other options. Tiffany produces bracelets, rings, earrings [B]tiffany jewelry boxes[/B] and necklaces.

Besides the traditional Tiffany's style, the jewelry [B][URL=http://www.etiffanystore.com]tiffany[/URL][/B] comes in the traditional blue box and you can even find Tiffany inspired jewelry [U]replica tiffany jewelry[/U] that reproduces the Tiffany style down to the box. Tiffany jewelry is traditionally sterling silver [U]replica tiffany jewelry[/U] as the Tiffany Company has produced a special blend of silver that is very [B]replica tiffany jewelry[/B] strong and will last.

It is not a direct replica but it is inspired from the Tiffany style [U]discount tiffany jewelry[/U] so many of the pieces are very similar to Tiffany. Some companies may even [U][B]tiffany jewelry boxes[/U][/B] produce direct replicas. The main difference between real Tiffany's jewelry and the inspired version [B]tiffany jewelry store[/B] jewelry is the price tag. They are just as beautiful and classic as the real ones [B]best website to buy discounted tiffany jewelry[/B] but at much more affordable prices. If you aspire for a piece of Tiffany's then you should [B][URL=http://www.tiffanysfree.com]tiffany jewellery[/URL][/B] investigate Tiffany inspired jewelry.

This jewelry can [U]tiffany jewellery uk[/U] be found in many places, in stores and online. You [U][B]tiffany jewelry store[/U][/B] can search the internet to discover the companies in your [B]discount tiffany jewelry[/B] area that provide this type of jewelry. Their heart [B]buyers of tiffany jewelry sets[/B] pendants are particularly popular. These floating [U][B]tiffany company jewelry[/U][/B] heart pendants come in silver, gold and with crystals. They also [B][URL=http://www.etiffanystore.com]tiffany charms[/URL][/B] have the traditional Tiffany's circle of life pendant that resembles a [U]fake tiffany jewelry[/U] circle of crystals on a chain.

There are many different types of Tiffany inspired [B]fake tiffany jewelry[/B] earrings and many of them match the Tiffany pendants. There are open [B]knockoff tiffany jewelry[/B] heart earrings as well as circle of life earrings. There are [U][B]3tiffany & co jewellery[/U][/B] a variety of different bracelets and [U][B]replica tiffany jewelry[/U][/B] many still use the open heart charm design. There are [B]authentic tiffany jewelry monthly promotion[/B] multi chain bracelets, heart charm bracelets, puff heart toggle [U]replica tiffany jewelry[/U] bracelets, link bracelets, cubic [U][B]best website to buy discounted tiffany jewelry[/U][/B] zirconium tennis bracelets, mesh buckle [U][B]authentic tiffany jewelry[/U][/B] bracelets, silver heart tag ID bracelets, double [U]buyers of tiffany jewelry sets[/U] row cable bracelets and much more.

B&H