Backlit Beauty Outdoors
Many photographers have asked me how I achieve this look. What I tell them is TAKE A CHANCE ! With the digital age there is no reason NOT to take chances. Ok so how is this done ? I ALWAYS use a white board, NEVER a silver or gold reflector. Reflectors create that “glamour” look which is great for glamour but not fashion or beauty. I either have an assistant hold it or if you don’t have an assistant, your make up artist is a good choice. The board is held off camera right out of camera view and yes blind the model. It is their job to be able to deal with it. I control the contrast with my shutter speed. The faster the speed the more contrast you get. Now I invite you to ask questions !
Tags: camera view, fashion, fashion photographer, glamour look, gold reflector, job, los angeles, reflectors, shutter speed
October 30th, 2007 at 11:20 am
hi…
wonderful post…
June 12th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I tried using a reflector the first time this weekend, it was silver…hehe and the pictures came out a bit underexposed and tinted (orange or yellow) Ugh…I guess I have much to learn. =/
June 13th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Hi Kay,
Well I would stay away from the silver and always use a white board. As far as your under exposure, what is happening is your camera is trying to compensate for the really bright background. BTW ALWAYS shoot in manual mode, otherwise your camera will take control and use it’s own mind. So to over ride the camera’s auto defaults just switch to manual mode and OVER EXPOSE by 1/2 - 1 full stop over. You can even over expose even more depending on the look you are going for. Same principal applies to shooting snow or at the beach. You must over expose because the camera reads the brightest part of the scene and will adjust accordingly resulting in an under exposed image.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Amazing work.
The lens flare is a nice touch.
Is this the same principal as using a strobe and exposing 2 - 3 stops above ambient is you want to darken the sky. In a sense are you using your white reflector as your strobe?
Thanks,
August 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Yes that principal is correct however when using a reflector you won’t be able to get 2-3 stops of light out of it so the sky won’t go dark. Also remember that if the sky isn’t blue or dark, nothing you try will make it blue or dark UNLESS you do it in post. So don’t kill yourself trying to get the sky to go dark. The sky will always be darker the farther from the sun you shoot. So if you back light a model there is not way you will get a dark sky. If you side light a model then you will get a darker sky. If you front light a model then the sky will be a nice blue or at least much darker.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Jason, i have a Nikon d70s with a 18 to 70mm 3.5/4.5, i know its about time to upgrade if i wanna be taking pictures like u, and will b soon.
But i am wondering if its possible to take a picture like this with my d70s?
And was there any post production involved in this photo?
thanks,
poyan
November 25th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hi Poyan,
I am not familiar with the d70s but remember that it is not the gear that makes beautiful photos, it is the photographer and model working together as one.
I have taken pictures like this with just a point and shoot. If you know how to manipulate light and can get your model to open up to you and let you inside, then all you need is a box that lets in light exposing the film
November 25th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
So the fogyness this pic has, its has not been touched by adobe?
Im guessing its done naturally from the rays of the sun hitting the lens.