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1. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
(bonniej) Jul 30, 2008 9:18 AM (in response to badchess)When I shoot sports portraits, I prefer to have the sun behind the subject, so that they are not squinting. I use a reflector or flash for fill.
Here is one example of a group shot. This was taken at around 7 pm, just before the sun went down behind the trees in the background. Fill was a Nikon SB800 off camera at low power.
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2. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
badchess Jul 30, 2008 9:28 AM (in response to badchess)That was my first inclination.
I was forced into doing the opposite a few weeks back (due to the team wanting to be shot in front of a brick building) and even with my little flash trying its hardest I was not pleased with the result. Fortunately they loved it, so I kept my mouth shut. -
3. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
Allen Wicks Jul 30, 2008 1:27 PM (in response to badchess)You do not mention your hardware. Lower end cameras and/or flash units often fall down with strong backlighting.
I too like the sun at the back. Nikon SB-800 or SB-900, or Canon's best flash will fill fine. For
i even with my little flash trying its hardest I was not pleased
I suggest large reflectors for fill light (requires assistants to aim reflectors). Lesser gear performs best with lots of light, so you may want to shoot with the sun 30-50 degrees from the front and tolerate any squinting. -
4. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
badchess Jul 30, 2008 1:36 PM (in response to badchess)Canon 580 EX, Canon 1D (iii). I was considering a reflector and trigger the camera via pocket wizard. -
5. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
(bonniej) Jul 30, 2008 2:18 PM (in response to badchess)In addition to Allen's post...
I have even resorted to putting a large white bed sheet on the ground in front of the subject. With the edge just out of frame. The large expanse of white will reflect some light back up onto the subject. -
6. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
LRK 2 Jul 30, 2008 2:35 PM (in response to badchess)> I have even resorted to putting a large white bed sheet on the ground in front of the subject. With the edge just out of frame. The large expanse of white will reflect some light back up onto the subject.
Great idea. I've also seen photographers use the shiny side of cut up sheets of insulation for even more reflective light when needed. -
7. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
(Peter_Figen) Jul 30, 2008 2:59 PM (in response to badchess)I take ScrimJim's on location with me. Breakdown alluminum frames that come on various sizes and either reflective or transmissive fabrics that velcro to the frame, or, if I'm driving, I will take a sheet of Fomecore that is white on one side and had a siver or gold crinkle material glued to the other. -
8. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
(bonniej) Jul 30, 2008 3:21 PM (in response to badchess)Linda-- you can use the shiny auto reflectors (the one for your dashboard to keep the sun out) as well. Although sometimes the foil type make the subjects squint even more, depending on how much light they are reflecting back & as what angle. -
9. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
(PShock) Jul 30, 2008 4:30 PM (in response to badchess)Not to be considered a replacement for proper lighting and contrast control but ... the Fill Light slider in ACR or Lightroom works wonders. -
10. Re: portraits in open field angle of sun?
badchess Jul 31, 2008 3:17 AM (in response to badchess)The white sheet sounds like an interesting idea, I'll experiement before then.


